Zinc is a chemical element that is needed by the human body. It stimulates cell division and ensures the normal functioning of the musculoskeletal, reproductive and immune systems. However, an excessive amount of this substance can be harmful. Symptoms of excess zinc in the body resemble manifestations of gastrointestinal tract and respiratory diseases. Why does intoxication occur? And how does it manifest?
Causes
Excess zinc in the human body cannot be formed due to the excessive intake of this substance with food. After all, food contains a very small amount of trace elements. Even a daily intake of foods high in zinc cannot lead to an overdose.
Excess zinc in the body, doctors call hypercycosis. The following causes of this condition can be distinguished:
- Taking medication. Prolonged use of high doses of zinc-based medications can lead to an excess of trace elements in the body. This applies not only to oral medications, but also to topical agents. Many skin ointments contain zinc, since this substance has wound healing properties. Long-term use of such drugs can cause hypercycosis.
- The abuse of vitamins. Zinc is part of many vitamin and mineral complexes. Often, patients mistakenly believe that such dietary supplements are absolutely harmless. In no case should you exceed the permissible dosage of dietary supplements. Excess zinc in the body after taking vitamins is a common occurrence. Signs of hypercycosis do not occur immediately, but as the trace element accumulates in the body. With prolonged use of high doses of vitamin complexes with zinc, chronic intoxication develops. Acute poisoning can result from taking more than 150 mg of zinc per day.
- The use of products stored in zinc containers. There have been cases of poisoning with such food. Packaging materials may contain zinc salts, which have a toxic effect on the body. At home, it is not recommended to store food in galvanized dishes, this can also lead to intoxication.
- Work in hazardous industries. Zinc compounds are used in the manufacture of paints, matches, ceramics, glass and man-made fibers. Employees of such enterprises have an increased risk of acute or chronic zinc intoxication. Zinc vapor poisoning can occur during electric welding without a respirator and in confined spaces.
- Disorders of zinc metabolism in the body. Hypercycosis is noted in chronic alcoholism, diabetes mellitus and cirrhosis.
Excess and lack of zinc in the human body are equally harmful to health. Trace deficiency leads to dermatitis, as well as impaired vision, hearing and smell. Excessive accumulation of zinc causes intoxication and damage to various organs.
Acute poisoning
If a large amount of zinc and its compounds enters the stomach, the patient experiences acute poisoning. High doses of this trace element cause burns to the gastrointestinal mucosa. Deterioration of well-being occurs within 2-3 minutes. The following symptoms of excess zinc in the body occur:
- sharp pains in the esophagus and stomach;
- bloody vomiting;
- cramps
- a sharp drop in blood pressure;
- copious salivation.
Acute intoxication is accompanied by renal and liver failure. Often, patients experience collapse and loss of consciousness. The patient needs immediate medical attention.
Inhalation of vapor
Vapor poisoning of zinc compounds is called casting fever. This type of intoxication is observed among employees of metallurgical enterprises. Inhalation of harmful substances leads to irritation of the mucosa of the trachea and bronchi. In this case, the symptoms of excess zinc in the body are similar to manifestations of respiratory diseases. The signs of respiratory poisoning are as follows:
- coughing;
- temperature rise to +40 degrees;
- thirst;
- chills;
- bad taste in the mouth;
- dyspnea;
- sore throat and chest;
- redness of the face and eyes.
The rise in body temperature is quickly replaced by a sharp drop and increased sweating.
Chronic intoxication
Chronic intoxication is noted much more often than acute poisoning. In this case, zinc in the body accumulates over time. This is observed in patients who systematically abuse drugs and vitamins, as well as in people working in hazardous industries.
Symptoms of excess zinc in the body with chronic intoxication are less pronounced than with acute poisoning. The patient develops the following signs of hypertension:
- persistent weakness;
- noise in ears;;
- anemia;
- hearing impairment;
- poor condition of the skin and nails;
- hair loss;
- malfunctions of the immune system;
- constant drowsiness and lethargy.
Zinc compounds accumulate in the pancreas. As a result, organ tissues undergo fibrotic changes, insulin secretion worsens. This leads to an increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood and the development of diabetes.
Symptoms of excess zinc in the body in men can be impaired reproductive function. This trace element adversely affects prostate tissue and spermatogenesis. In patients with hypercycosis, a deterioration in seminal fluid quality and infertility are often noted.
The appearance of symptoms of excess zinc in the body in women is especially dangerous during pregnancy. This element is necessary for the body of the future mother for the normal bearing of the fetus. However, excess zinc has a toxic effect on the embryo. The risk of having a baby with various developmental abnormalities increases. Therefore, pregnant women should in no case be abused with dietary supplements with zinc.
Complications
Hypercycosis can cause dangerous complications. In patients, the following consequences of excess zinc in the body are often noted:
- Increased fragility of bones. With an excessive zinc content, the absorption of other trace elements: cadmium, iron, manganese, and copper is impaired. This leads to a deterioration of bone tissue.
- Growth retardation. This complication is noted in children. With hypercincosis, the activity of bone cells decreases. As a result, the child grows very slowly.
- Muscle weakness. Excess zinc and a deficiency of other trace elements negatively affect the state of muscles. In advanced cases, the patient has no tendon reflexes.
- Malignant tumors. It has now been found that zinc compounds have carcinogenic properties.
- Autoimmune pathologies. With hypercycosis, serious violations in the work of the immune system are noted. This can lead to diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis.
- Pneumonia and pulmonary edema. Such complications are noted with constant inhalation of zinc vapor.
- Heart diseases. Zinc intoxication adversely affects the contractile function of the myocardium.
- Urolithiasis disease. Excess zinc leads to an increased content of salts in the urine, and then to the formation of kidney stones.
First aid
In acute zinc poisoning, the patient needs urgent hospitalization and detoxification. At the pre-medical stage, the patient must be given the following help:
- The victim should be removed from the area affected by the poisonous substance.
- The patient needs to be put down. Before the arrival of doctors, the patient should remain completely at ease.
- When poisoning in vapors, open the window or window so that fresh air enters the room. It is useful to make inhalations with a soda solution, this will help neutralize toxins.
- If zinc enters the body through the digestive tract, it is necessary to rinse the stomach with a solution of soda. The patient needs to drink as much fluid as possible (alkaline mineral water or milk).
Further assistance to the patient is provided by the ambulance team and doctors in the hospital.
Diagnostics
Symptoms of excess zinc in the body may resemble the manifestations of other pathologies. Therefore, it is very important to conduct differential diagnosis. This is especially necessary for chronic intoxication, when the symptoms of poisoning are often erased.
The most reliable diagnostic method is a blood test for zinc. At the same time, the concentration of copper is also investigated, since with hypercycosis there is a deficiency of this trace element.
Additionally, a urine test for zinc concentration is performed. However, this test is less informative. The increased content of this microelement in urine can be noted not only with hypercycosis, but also with cardiovascular diseases, as well as with oncological pathologies.
Therapy
Treatment of zinc intoxication is carried out in a hospital. Patients are given antidotes:
- Unitiol;
- "EDTA";
- Dimercaprol.
Additionally prescribed drug "Sodium thiosulfate." It has a laxative effect and helps to eliminate toxins.
When poisoning with vapors of a substance, oxygen therapy sessions are indicated. As symptomatic therapy, bronchodilators and antipyretic drugs are prescribed.
After discharge from the hospital, the patient should regularly visit a doctor and undergo all necessary examinations. This will help in time to identify possible complications of hypercycosis.
Prevention
The following recommendations will help prevent chronic and acute zinc intoxication:
- when working with zinc compounds in production, safety rules must be observed;
- during welding, use a respirator and ensure the flow of air into the room;
- do not store food in galvanized dishes;
- do not abuse vitamins and medicines based on zinc;
- keep chemicals with zinc compounds out of the reach of children
These measures will help to avoid severe poisoning and the dangerous effects of hypertension.