Inhalant: Difference between revisions
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
CSV import |
CSV import |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Inhalant | |||
| image = [[File:Toxicoman_-_Substance_abuse.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = A depiction of substance abuse | |||
| synonyms = Solvent abuse, volatile substance abuse | |||
| field = [[Toxicology]], [[Psychiatry]] | |||
| symptoms = Euphoria, dizziness, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting | |||
| complications = [[Brain damage]], [[organ failure]], [[sudden sniffing death syndrome]] | |||
| onset = Rapid | |||
| duration = Minutes to hours | |||
| types = [[Nitrous oxide]], [[glue]], [[paint thinner]], [[aerosols]] | |||
| causes = Inhalation of volatile substances | |||
| risks = [[Adolescence]], [[peer pressure]], availability of substances | |||
| diagnosis = Clinical evaluation, history of use | |||
| differential = [[Alcohol intoxication]], [[drug overdose]] | |||
| prevention = Education, reducing availability | |||
| treatment = Supportive care, [[counseling]], [[rehabilitation]] | |||
| prognosis = Variable, risk of long-term damage | |||
| frequency = Common among adolescents | |||
}} | |||
{{Short description|Overview of inhalant use and its effects}} | {{Short description|Overview of inhalant use and its effects}} | ||
{{Substance abuse}} | {{Substance abuse}} | ||
'''Inhalant use''' refers to the intentional inhalation of chemical vapors to achieve a psychoactive or mind-altering effect. Inhalants are a diverse group of substances that include volatile solvents, aerosols, gases, and nitrites. These substances are often found in household products, making them easily accessible, particularly to young people. | '''Inhalant use''' refers to the intentional inhalation of chemical vapors to achieve a psychoactive or mind-altering effect. Inhalants are a diverse group of substances that include volatile solvents, aerosols, gases, and nitrites. These substances are often found in household products, making them easily accessible, particularly to young people. | ||
==Types of Inhalants== | ==Types of Inhalants== | ||
Inhalants can be categorized into several types based on their chemical composition and effects: | Inhalants can be categorized into several types based on their chemical composition and effects: | ||
* '''Volatile Solvents''': These are liquids that vaporize at room temperature. Common examples include paint thinners, gasoline, and glue. | * '''Volatile Solvents''': These are liquids that vaporize at room temperature. Common examples include paint thinners, gasoline, and glue. | ||
* '''Aerosols''': These are sprays that contain propellants and solvents. Examples include spray paints, deodorant sprays, and hair sprays. | * '''Aerosols''': These are sprays that contain propellants and solvents. Examples include spray paints, deodorant sprays, and hair sprays. | ||
* '''Gases''': These include medical anesthetics such as [[nitrous oxide]] (laughing gas) and gases used in household or commercial products like butane lighters and propane tanks. | * '''Gases''': These include medical anesthetics such as [[nitrous oxide]] (laughing gas) and gases used in household or commercial products like butane lighters and propane tanks. | ||
* '''Nitrites''': These are often used as sexual enhancers and include substances like amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite. They are commonly referred to as "poppers." | * '''Nitrites''': These are often used as sexual enhancers and include substances like amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite. They are commonly referred to as "poppers." | ||
[[File:Nitrite-group-2D.svg|left|thumb|Chemical structure of a nitrite group.]] | |||
[[File:Nitrite-group-2D.svg|thumb | |||
==Mechanism of Action== | ==Mechanism of Action== | ||
Inhalants act primarily by depressing the central nervous system, leading to effects similar to those of alcohol intoxication. The exact mechanism can vary depending on the specific substance, but generally, inhalants alter neurotransmitter activity in the brain, affecting mood, perception, and behavior. | Inhalants act primarily by depressing the central nervous system, leading to effects similar to those of alcohol intoxication. The exact mechanism can vary depending on the specific substance, but generally, inhalants alter neurotransmitter activity in the brain, affecting mood, perception, and behavior. | ||
==Health Effects== | ==Health Effects== | ||
The use of inhalants can have both short-term and long-term health effects: | The use of inhalants can have both short-term and long-term health effects: | ||
* '''Short-term effects''': These include dizziness, euphoria, slurred speech, and impaired coordination. In severe cases, inhalant use can lead to sudden sniffing death syndrome, which is cardiac arrest caused by a sudden surge of adrenaline. | * '''Short-term effects''': These include dizziness, euphoria, slurred speech, and impaired coordination. In severe cases, inhalant use can lead to sudden sniffing death syndrome, which is cardiac arrest caused by a sudden surge of adrenaline. | ||
* '''Long-term effects''': Chronic use can result in damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and other organs. Cognitive impairments, memory loss, and motor skill deficits are common among long-term users. | * '''Long-term effects''': Chronic use can result in damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and other organs. Cognitive impairments, memory loss, and motor skill deficits are common among long-term users. | ||
==Prevalence and Demographics== | ==Prevalence and Demographics== | ||
Inhalant use is most prevalent among adolescents and young adults, partly due to the accessibility of these substances. Surveys indicate that inhalant use is often one of the first forms of substance abuse among young people. | Inhalant use is most prevalent among adolescents and young adults, partly due to the accessibility of these substances. Surveys indicate that inhalant use is often one of the first forms of substance abuse among young people. | ||
==Prevention and Treatment== | ==Prevention and Treatment== | ||
Preventing inhalant use involves education and awareness programs targeted at young people, parents, and educators. Treatment for inhalant abuse may include behavioral therapies, counseling, and support groups. Addressing underlying psychological issues is also crucial in the treatment process. | Preventing inhalant use involves education and awareness programs targeted at young people, parents, and educators. Treatment for inhalant abuse may include behavioral therapies, counseling, and support groups. Addressing underlying psychological issues is also crucial in the treatment process. | ||
==Also see== | ==Also see== | ||
* [[Substance abuse]] | * [[Substance abuse]] | ||
| Line 40: | Line 45: | ||
* [[Nitrous oxide]] | * [[Nitrous oxide]] | ||
* [[Psychoactive drugs]] | * [[Psychoactive drugs]] | ||
[[File:Nitrous-oxide-2D-VB.svg|left|thumb|Chemical structure of nitrous oxide.]] | |||
[[File:Nitrous-oxide-2D-VB.svg|thumb | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Substance abuse]] | [[Category:Substance abuse]] | ||
[[Category:Inhalants]] | [[Category:Inhalants]] | ||
[[Category:Drug culture]] | [[Category:Drug culture]] | ||
Revision as of 00:37, 8 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
| Inhalant | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Solvent abuse, volatile substance abuse |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Euphoria, dizziness, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting |
| Complications | Brain damage, organ failure, sudden sniffing death syndrome |
| Onset | Rapid |
| Duration | Minutes to hours |
| Types | Nitrous oxide, glue, paint thinner, aerosols |
| Causes | Inhalation of volatile substances |
| Risks | Adolescence, peer pressure, availability of substances |
| Diagnosis | Clinical evaluation, history of use |
| Differential diagnosis | Alcohol intoxication, drug overdose |
| Prevention | Education, reducing availability |
| Treatment | Supportive care, counseling, rehabilitation |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Variable, risk of long-term damage |
| Frequency | Common among adolescents |
| Deaths | N/A |
Overview of inhalant use and its effects
| Substance abuse | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This substance abuse related article is a stub.
|
Inhalant use refers to the intentional inhalation of chemical vapors to achieve a psychoactive or mind-altering effect. Inhalants are a diverse group of substances that include volatile solvents, aerosols, gases, and nitrites. These substances are often found in household products, making them easily accessible, particularly to young people.
Types of Inhalants
Inhalants can be categorized into several types based on their chemical composition and effects:
- Volatile Solvents: These are liquids that vaporize at room temperature. Common examples include paint thinners, gasoline, and glue.
- Aerosols: These are sprays that contain propellants and solvents. Examples include spray paints, deodorant sprays, and hair sprays.
- Gases: These include medical anesthetics such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and gases used in household or commercial products like butane lighters and propane tanks.
- Nitrites: These are often used as sexual enhancers and include substances like amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite. They are commonly referred to as "poppers."
Mechanism of Action
Inhalants act primarily by depressing the central nervous system, leading to effects similar to those of alcohol intoxication. The exact mechanism can vary depending on the specific substance, but generally, inhalants alter neurotransmitter activity in the brain, affecting mood, perception, and behavior.
Health Effects
The use of inhalants can have both short-term and long-term health effects:
- Short-term effects: These include dizziness, euphoria, slurred speech, and impaired coordination. In severe cases, inhalant use can lead to sudden sniffing death syndrome, which is cardiac arrest caused by a sudden surge of adrenaline.
- Long-term effects: Chronic use can result in damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and other organs. Cognitive impairments, memory loss, and motor skill deficits are common among long-term users.
Prevalence and Demographics
Inhalant use is most prevalent among adolescents and young adults, partly due to the accessibility of these substances. Surveys indicate that inhalant use is often one of the first forms of substance abuse among young people.
Prevention and Treatment
Preventing inhalant use involves education and awareness programs targeted at young people, parents, and educators. Treatment for inhalant abuse may include behavioral therapies, counseling, and support groups. Addressing underlying psychological issues is also crucial in the treatment process.
Also see
References
<references group="" responsive="1"></references>
