In case of poisoning

The word, “poisoning”, refers to harmful effects which develop in the body following exposure to any poison. Poison is a substance which when introduced intentionally or accidentally in any living species produces poisoning, i.e. harmful effects. This substance can be in chemical or vegetative form. Poisoning becomes a matter of concern because due to scientific developments, there are more than 100,000 chemicals existing in various forms. There are simple chemicals in their original form and various combinations of these and not all are useful for men, rather some are very harmful. These harmful chemicals include pesticides and insecticides used to kill pests and insects. Certain drugs which are very useful to provide relief in ailments tend to be harmful, even deadly if consumed in large doses. A simple medicine like paracetamol or aspirin can work like poison if overdose is consumed. Apart from consumption, an individual may be exposed to poisonous chemicals by inhaling the fumes as of poisonous gases like carbon monoxide or there may be contamination of the body in large amount as with pesticides. It can be very well said that with such a large number of chemicals available, human beings are exposed to risk of poisoning, either by ill intention of someone or attempted suicide or accidentally. I have practically come across many persons consuming rat poison to attempt suicide. Apart from these, some addictive substances like, alcohol, datura, heroin, cannabis, opium e.t.c., can be very harmful and even fatal if consumed in large quantities. Survival of the person after being exposed to the poison depends on amount of the poison, route by which it enters the body and time lapse in treatment. The clinical features have a wide spectrum depending on the nature of the poisoning substance. There can be abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and respiratory distress, all these can occur after ingestion of common poisons like insecticides or pesticides. In severe cases one may have loss of consciousness, convulsions and even liver or kidney failure. In fact, poisoning can be suspected if there is sudden loss of consciousness or convulsions without any other explained cause. There may be specific tell tale signs pertaining to the type of substance responsible for the poisoning. Like pupils of the eyes would be constricted after opium poisoning. Somebody who has taken a very large near fatal quantity of alcohol will have strong smell of alcohol on his breath. In cases of suicidal poisoning, many persons take small quantity of some poison, just to, “take on” somebody, but after that they get scared and blurt out at the first opportunity that they have consumed poison. They even beg for help as they are frightened for their lives. Diagnosis and treatment of such cases becomes easy. But for those cases where there is no clear history of intake of poison or who have consumed it in large quantities, diagnosis and treatment both become critical. The first aid measure needed in individuals who have become poisoned is to minimize the absorption of poison. In case of any poison ingested by mouth, it is useful to induce vomiting immediately to prevent the poison reaching the stomach and getting absorbed. Syrup of Ipecac, table salt, even putting fingers forcibly in mouth, all these can be used to induce vomiting. Stomach can be washed by putting a tube in the stomach through the nose. Activated charcoal tablets can be given to minimize absorption of the poisonous substance. If there is contamination of the body or eyes by a poisonous substance, the body or eyes should be washed with copious amounts of cold clean water. Early hospitalization is beneficial for the person so that he can be put under observation to monitor the vital signs and necessary urgent interventions can be done. Best time to treat poisoning by any means is the first hour, preferably first 30 minutes of exposure. It is always better to take safety precautions to prevent poisoning. Poisonous substances should be kept in some remote location in houses and out of reach particularly of children. Medicines and poisons should not be kept close, lest they may be mixed up and somebody may ingest a poisonous chemical considering it to be a medicine. People suffering from severe depression need to be counseled against suicide. For homicidal poisoning of course there are means and laws to trace the culprits and punish them. –rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk