Poisoning: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Arsenic_Poisoning.jpg|Arsenic Poisoning|thumb]] [[File:Death_rate_from_unintentional_poisoning,_OWID.svg|Death rate from unintentional poisoning, OWID|thumb | {{SI}} | ||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Poisoning | |||
| image = [[File:GHS-pictogram-skull.svg|left|thumb|120px]] | |||
| caption = The [[GHS hazard pictograms|GHS pictogram]] for toxic substances | |||
| field = [[Toxicology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]], [[abdominal pain]], [[dizziness]], [[confusion]], [[seizures]], [[unconsciousness]] | |||
| complications = [[Organ failure]], [[coma]], [[death]] | |||
| onset = Minutes to hours after exposure | |||
| duration = Varies depending on the substance and treatment | |||
| causes = [[Ingestion]], [[inhalation]], [[injection]], or [[absorption]] of toxic substances | |||
| risks = [[Children]], [[elderly]], [[occupational exposure]], [[substance abuse]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Clinical history]], [[physical examination]], [[toxicology screen]] | |||
| differential = [[Infection]], [[metabolic disorders]], [[neurological disorders]] | |||
| prevention = [[Proper storage of chemicals]], [[use of personal protective equipment]], [[education]] | |||
| treatment = [[Activated charcoal]], [[antidotes]], [[supportive care]], [[gastric lavage]] | |||
| prognosis = Depends on the type and amount of poison, and the timeliness of treatment | |||
| frequency = Common | |||
}} | |||
[[File:Arsenic_Poisoning.jpg|left|thumb|Arsenic Poisoning|left|thumb]] [[File:Death_rate_from_unintentional_poisoning,_OWID.svg|left|thumb|Death rate from unintentional poisoning, OWID|left|thumb]] [[File:Arsenic_trioxide.jpg|left|thumb|Arsenic trioxide|left|thumb]] '''Poisoning''' is a condition or process in which an organism becomes ill or dies because it has ingested, inhaled, or absorbed a [[toxic substance]] through the skin or mucous membranes. Poisoning can be intentional or accidental and can result from a wide variety of substances, including [[chemicals]], [[plants]], and [[pharmaceutical drugs]]. The severity of poisoning can vary greatly depending on the type of poison, the amount absorbed, and the individual's age, health status, and resilience. | |||
==Types of Poisoning== | ==Types of Poisoning== | ||
Poisoning can be classified into several types based on the nature of the toxic agent involved. Some common types include: | Poisoning can be classified into several types based on the nature of the toxic agent involved. Some common types include: | ||
* '''[[Chemical Poisoning]]''': Caused by exposure to industrial chemicals, household cleaning products, or other toxic chemicals. | * '''[[Chemical Poisoning]]''': Caused by exposure to industrial chemicals, household cleaning products, or other toxic chemicals. | ||
* '''[[Drug Poisoning]]''': Results from the overdose or misuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications. | * '''[[Drug Poisoning]]''': Results from the overdose or misuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications. | ||
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* '''[[Plant Poisoning]]''': Caused by the ingestion or contact with toxic plants. | * '''[[Plant Poisoning]]''': Caused by the ingestion or contact with toxic plants. | ||
* '''[[Venomous Bites and Stings]]''': Poisoning resulting from bites or stings by venomous animals such as snakes, spiders, and scorpions. | * '''[[Venomous Bites and Stings]]''': Poisoning resulting from bites or stings by venomous animals such as snakes, spiders, and scorpions. | ||
==Symptoms== | ==Symptoms== | ||
The symptoms of poisoning can vary widely but often include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and confusion. In severe cases, symptoms may escalate to seizures, loss of consciousness, and even death. The specific symptoms depend on the substance involved and the amount of exposure. | The symptoms of poisoning can vary widely but often include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and confusion. In severe cases, symptoms may escalate to seizures, loss of consciousness, and even death. The specific symptoms depend on the substance involved and the amount of exposure. | ||
==Diagnosis and Treatment== | ==Diagnosis and Treatment== | ||
Diagnosis of poisoning typically involves a thorough history taking, physical examination, and sometimes, laboratory tests to identify the poison. Treatment depends on the type of poison involved but may include administering [[antidotes]], performing [[gastric lavage]] (stomach pumping), and providing supportive care such as fluids and breathing support. | Diagnosis of poisoning typically involves a thorough history taking, physical examination, and sometimes, laboratory tests to identify the poison. Treatment depends on the type of poison involved but may include administering [[antidotes]], performing [[gastric lavage]] (stomach pumping), and providing supportive care such as fluids and breathing support. | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Prevention of poisoning involves proper storage of chemicals and medications, careful handling of potentially toxic substances, and education about the dangers of certain plants and animals. It is especially important to keep hazardous materials out of reach of children, who are particularly vulnerable to accidental poisoning. | Prevention of poisoning involves proper storage of chemicals and medications, careful handling of potentially toxic substances, and education about the dangers of certain plants and animals. It is especially important to keep hazardous materials out of reach of children, who are particularly vulnerable to accidental poisoning. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Toxicology]] | * [[Toxicology]] | ||
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* [[Environmental Health]] | * [[Environmental Health]] | ||
* [[Occupational Safety and Health]] | * [[Occupational Safety and Health]] | ||
[[Category:Toxicology]] | [[Category:Toxicology]] | ||
[[Category:Medical emergencies]] | [[Category:Medical emergencies]] | ||
{{medicine-stub}} | {{medicine-stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 00:59, 14 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Poisoning | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, confusion, seizures, unconsciousness |
| Complications | Organ failure, coma, death |
| Onset | Minutes to hours after exposure |
| Duration | Varies depending on the substance and treatment |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Ingestion, inhalation, injection, or absorption of toxic substances |
| Risks | Children, elderly, occupational exposure, substance abuse |
| Diagnosis | Clinical history, physical examination, toxicology screen |
| Differential diagnosis | Infection, metabolic disorders, neurological disorders |
| Prevention | Proper storage of chemicals, use of personal protective equipment, education |
| Treatment | Activated charcoal, antidotes, supportive care, gastric lavage |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Depends on the type and amount of poison, and the timeliness of treatment |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | N/A |
Poisoning is a condition or process in which an organism becomes ill or dies because it has ingested, inhaled, or absorbed a toxic substance through the skin or mucous membranes. Poisoning can be intentional or accidental and can result from a wide variety of substances, including chemicals, plants, and pharmaceutical drugs. The severity of poisoning can vary greatly depending on the type of poison, the amount absorbed, and the individual's age, health status, and resilience.
Types of Poisoning[edit]
Poisoning can be classified into several types based on the nature of the toxic agent involved. Some common types include:
- Chemical Poisoning: Caused by exposure to industrial chemicals, household cleaning products, or other toxic chemicals.
- Drug Poisoning: Results from the overdose or misuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
- Food Poisoning: Occurs when one consumes food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or toxins.
- Plant Poisoning: Caused by the ingestion or contact with toxic plants.
- Venomous Bites and Stings: Poisoning resulting from bites or stings by venomous animals such as snakes, spiders, and scorpions.
Symptoms[edit]
The symptoms of poisoning can vary widely but often include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and confusion. In severe cases, symptoms may escalate to seizures, loss of consciousness, and even death. The specific symptoms depend on the substance involved and the amount of exposure.
Diagnosis and Treatment[edit]
Diagnosis of poisoning typically involves a thorough history taking, physical examination, and sometimes, laboratory tests to identify the poison. Treatment depends on the type of poison involved but may include administering antidotes, performing gastric lavage (stomach pumping), and providing supportive care such as fluids and breathing support.
Prevention[edit]
Prevention of poisoning involves proper storage of chemicals and medications, careful handling of potentially toxic substances, and education about the dangers of certain plants and animals. It is especially important to keep hazardous materials out of reach of children, who are particularly vulnerable to accidental poisoning.
See Also[edit]
