In terms of taste and smell, methanol cannot be distinguished from ethanol. This explains such frequent intoxication. In this article, we will analyze the symptoms of methyl alcohol poisoning , talk about its effect on the body, and also talk about first aid to the victim.
What is the danger?
Methyl alcohol is a threat to the body, even in small doses. If a person mistakenly drank 100 grams of methanol, it can be fatal. If the body is weakened, serious complications can occur with lesser amounts of drunk technical alcohol. What if one of your relatives or acquaintances shows signs of methyl alcohol poisoning ? We will talk about this further, but first, we will analyze the influence of a surrogate on the human body.
Where is methanol used?
Only half a glass of methanol can paralyze the cardiovascular and nervous system. And the negative impact on the excretory system requires immediate intervention. Methanol is often used as a cheap alternative to the production of surrogate alcohol. In its pure form, it acts as a solvent in industrial fluids. In this regard, it is prohibited for use inside. Technical alcohol, unlike pure medical alcohol, is also one of the components in household chemicals and various detergents. The manufacturer places a warning on the product packaging.
What is the effect on the body?
As we have already said, assistance with methyl alcohol poisoning must be provided immediately. Otherwise, a person risks his life. It must be remembered that methanol can have a lasting effect on the body. And if at the moment characteristic symptoms are not observed, they can appear in a few days. The digestive and excretory systems are primarily affected. Methanol, once inside the stomach, instantly reacts with gastric juice and forms formaldehyde and formic acid.
Most of the methanol is excreted by the kidneys, so the excretory system is instantly paralyzed. When taken in small doses, the symptoms of methyl alcohol poisoning may not be observed. However, subsequently, the nervous system is seriously affected, toxins are released that affect all internal organs, and the work of cells is partially blocked. It is not worth talking about exactly what the use of methanol in surrogate alcoholic beverages on an ongoing basis is fraught with.
What are the symptoms of intoxication?
We will analyze in detail the symptoms of methyl alcohol poisoning. The victim needs immediate assistance if:
- He complains of acute pain in the abdomen.
- Dizziness and headache are noted.
- Nausea is accompanied by severe vomiting.
- Groundless aggression is observed.
- The victim partially or completely faints.
- He complains of stars or sparks in his eyes.
- He has a rapid heartbeat, as well as jumps in blood pressure.
If you notice increased salivation, there is acute intoxication in front of you. Remember that early symptoms indicate that a person can be saved, but later symptoms will be irreversible.
Observe the victim for three days, and this is how much the effect of methanol on the body persists. If a person has a visual disturbance (up to blindness), as well as severe pain in the legs and in the head, immediate hospitalization is required.
Late symptoms
The late symptoms of intoxication are considered superficial and deep coma. In the first case, a person is speechless, constantly hiccups, and frequent urge to vomit is noted. As we said, being absorbed into the stomach, methanol affects the excretory system. The skin of the victim speaks eloquently about this: it becomes wet and cold. Symptoms of methyl alcohol poisoning are almost irreversible.
With a deep coma, the victim's pupils dilate greatly. At this stage of poisoning, convulsions are observed, pain sensitivity disappears. This suggests that the cells of the body are already affected by toxins. The victim's heartbeat is stable, but quickened, and his skin acquires a characteristic marble hue. The excretory system is completely affected. In this case, even high-quality medical care is sometimes powerless.
What you need to know about defeat
So, we examined the signs of methyl alcohol poisoning. It is time to work out a clear plan of action. It is necessary to intervene in the processes that are triggered by a surrogate in the internal organs. Remember that absorbents that are indicated for conventional food poisoning are powerless in this case. Methanol is not in the stomach, chemical reactions have already occurred in the body under its influence, and it has already penetrated into the blood. It is necessary to wash the stomach, as well as the introduction of intravenous drugs. At home, this can not be done. Before the ambulance crew arrives, you can follow these steps.
First aid
To some extent, the victim will be saved by the fact that he ate fatty foods along with surrogate alcohol. It slows down the chemical reactions produced by methyl alcohol in the body. Next, you need to artificially induce vomiting to empty the stomach. Give the victim three glasses of warm water, preferably boiled water. The liquid should not contain various additives in the form of salt, manganese and others. Then put the victim on a chair, stock up with a basin and a towel.
A person’s life depends on your clear-cut actions. Open the victim’s mouth and squeeze a clean spoon on the base of the tongue until the urge to vomit appears.
Even before hospitalization, the ambulance team administers a special antidote drug to the patient in case of methyl alcohol poisoning.
What are the antidotes (antidotes)
Arriving ambulance team injects 4-methylpyrazole or 30% solution of ethanol intravenously . Folic acid also has a good resistance to methanol. Next, the patient is sent for subsequent treatment and observation in a narcological clinic, a poison control center or the nearest intensive care unit.
Possible health effects
We covered in detail the topic "Methyl alcohol poisoning." The effects of intoxication can occur even after treatment in the clinic. After discharge, the patient may develop heart failure. With more severe lesions in humans, partial destruction of muscle tissue, blockage of blood vessels and impaired normal kidney function are observed. After staying in a coma, respiratory failure often develops.
Medical workers warn that methanol intoxication affects the occurrence of irreversible processes in the body, among which the most common is visual impairment. There are times when a person after intoxication (even accidental) becomes disabled.
Take care of yourself and your loved ones, value your own health.