What are the 4 elements of poisoning?

Poisoning involves four elements: the poison, the poisoned organism, the injury to the cells, and the symptoms and signs or death . These four elements represent the cause, subject, effect, and consequence of poisoning.

What are the results of poisoning?

It depends on the substance, amount, and type of exposure. Your age, weight, and state of health also affect your outcome. Poisoning can cause short-term effects, like a skin rash or brief illness. In serious cases, it can cause brain damage, a coma, or death .

What are the 4 things we try and find out when someone may have been poisoned?

Some signs include chemical-smelling breath, burns around the mouth, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or unusual odors on the person . If possible, identify the poison. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.

What are the phases of poisoning?

The general approach to the poisoned patient can be divided into six phases: (1) stabilization; (2) laboratory assessment; (3) decontamination of the gastrointestinal tract, skin, or eyes; (4) administration of an antidote; (5) elimination enhancement of the toxin; and (6) observation and disposition.

How long does poison take to kick in?

Not all poisons cause symptoms right away. Some symptoms can come on slowly or may appear hours after exposure. However, if you think someone has been poisoned, do not wait until the symptoms appear before calling Poison Control.

How to neutralize poison?

Try to neutralize the poison with lemon juice or vinegar , or any other substance, unless you are told to do so by the Poison Control Center or a doctor. Use any "cure-all" type antidote. Wait for symptoms to develop if you suspect that someone has been poisoned.

How to remove poison from body?

activated charcoal – sometimes used to treat someone who's been poisoned; the charcoal binds to the poison and stops it being further absorbed into the blood. antidotes – these are substances that either prevent the poison from working or reverse its effects. sedatives – may be given if the person is agitated.

What is the strongest poison?

Pål Stenmark regards botulinum toxin – the world's most dangerous poison – as a set of building blocks he can redesign and give new functions. One aim is to produce new and more effective pharmaceuticals, including pain treatments.

Which is the most common form of poisoning?

In adults, opioid overdoses were the most common cause of poisoning, followed by sedatives, sleeping medications and household cleaning supplies. Antidepressants are another common exposure among adults.

What is the first step in any case of suspected poisoning?

If someone may have been poisoned, call the toll-free Poison Help line (1‑800‑222‑1222), which connects you to your local poison center, to speak with a poison expert right away. This expert can give you advice on first aid and may save you from a visit to the emergency room.

What is the example of poisoning?

Many different substances are toxic to humans. A few examples include heavy metals, certain gases and even some plants you encounter while gardening . Poisoning often happens suddenly and accidentally. For example, a child might drink cough syrup, or you might splash a harsh cleaner into your eye.

What is the most common cause of poisoning?

Here are some common causes of accidental poisoning: Medicine – These may be prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Not only are opioids of concern, but medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, mental health, colds and coughs can be especially dangerous for children.

What are the symptoms of two step poisoning?

Symptoms of Two Step poisoning can show within 5 minutes and includes some or more of the following: weakness/paralysis, nausea/vomiting, salivation, epilepsy, urination, muscle tremors, and pupil constriction .

Poisoning - Symptoms (2024)

The symptoms of poisoning depend on the substance and the amount you take in.

Some poisonous substances, such as carbon monoxide, interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Others, such as bleach, burn and irritate the digestive system.

Parents and carers should be aware of sudden, unexplained illness in young children, particularly if they're drowsy or unconscious, because poisoning could be the cause.

Seek immediate medical advice ifyou think someone has swallowed a poisonous substance.

Find outwhat to do if you think someone has been poisoned.

General symptoms

General symptoms of poisoning can include:

Signs of a medicine or drug overdose

Medicine overdoses are the most common type of poisoning in the UK.

If someone takes too much of a medicine, they may experience symptoms specific to the medicine taken, as well as the more general symptoms listed above.

Some of the most common medicines or drugs involved in cases of poisoning are listed below.

Paracetamol

Paracetamol is a widely used over-the-counter painkiller.

Specific signs of paracetamol poisoning include:

yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes(jaundice)
loss of co-ordination
low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), which can cause symptoms including sweating, trembling and irritability

Aspirin

Aspirin is an anti-platelet medicine that thins the blood and reduces the risk ofblood clotsforming (arterial thrombosis).

Specific signs of aspirin poisoning include:

Tricyclic antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants are used to treatclinical depression, as well as a number of other mental health conditions, such as panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Some types of tricyclic antidepressants can also be used to treat nerve pain.

Specific signs of poisoning withtricyclic antidepressants include:

excitability
dry mouth
large pupils
irregular or rapid heartbeat
low blood pressure, which can cause symptoms including lightheadedness and fainting

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are a newer type of antidepressant that are also used to treat mental health conditions such as OCD and anxiety disorder.

Specific signs of SSRI poisoning include:

feeling agitated
tremor (shaking)
uncontrolled movement of the eyes (nystagmus)
severe muscle tension

Beta blockers

Beta blockers are used to treat a number of conditions that affect the heart or blood, such as high blood pressure (hypertension), angina and heart failure.

Specific signs of poisoning with beta blockers include:

low blood pressure, which can cause symptoms such aslightheadedness andfainting
a slow heartbeat (below 60 beats per minute)

Calcium-channel blockers

Calcium-channel blockers are used for the treatment of high blood pressure and angina.

Specific signs of calcium-channel blocker poisoning include:

feeling agitated
low blood pressure, which can cause symptoms such as lightheadedness and fainting
chest pain
a slow heartbeat (below 60 beats per minute)

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a type of tranquiliser, often used on a short-term basis to treat anxiety and sleeping problems (insomnia).

Specific signs of poisoning with benzodiazepines include:

co-ordination and speech difficulties
uncontrolled movement of the eyes (nystagmus)
shallow breathing
drowsiness

Opioids

Opioids are a type of stronger painkiller used to treat moderate to severe pain. They include codeine and morphine, as well as the illegal drug heroin.

Specific signs of opioid poisoning include:

small pupils
shallow breathing
drowsiness

Stimulant overdose

If you take too much of a stimulant-like drug, such as cocaine, amphetamine, crack or ecstasy, overdose signs can include:

anxiety and paranoia
restlessness or agitation
hallucinations
high temperature
chest pain
rapid breathing
irregular or fast heartbeat

Cannabis overdose

If you smoke (or eat) too much cannabis, you may experience the following symptoms:

paranoia
hallucinations
numbness in your arms and legs

Page last reviewed: 10 September 2021
Next review due: 10 September 2024