Mercury Poisoning Signs & Symptoms
Mercury poisoning is a significant problem for individuals who eat a great deal of fish or who live in areas that have naturally high mercury levels in the soil. Mercury used to be used as a medical supplement to resolve illnesses until it was found to cause health problems. However, several natural health organizations still advocate the use of mercury as a health supplement. Today, mercury can still be found in fish and in old-fashioned liquid mercury thermometers.
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Elemental and Vaporized Mercury
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Elementary mercury most often occurs in the vaporized form. According to eMedicine, the symptoms of this form of mercury poisoning include severe mood swings, nervousness and irritability. Often insomnia, muscle pain and tremors, and muscle atrophy also occur. Other symptoms of vaporized mercury poisoning include changes in cognitive abilities such as decreased concentration and the inability to think clearly. Ongoing elemental mercury poisoning can lead to respiratory problems, reduced kidney function and death.
Organic Mercury
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Organic mercury poisoning occurs most often in the form of eating or ingesting the poison. It has the strongest effects on developing fetuses and can cause brain damage and neurological problems, according to eMedicine. Other symptoms from ingesting organic mercury include peripheral vision problems, muscle weakness, loss of coordination abilities, and problems with speech and hearing. Fetal impairments are often translated into infants with poor attention span, memory problems, difficulties with concentration and muscular coordination issues.
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Inorganic Mercury
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Exposure to inorganic mercury can cause skin rashes and skin inflammation, according to eMedicine. If ingested, inorganic mercury may result in intestinal problems, including the development of bloody stool or diarrhea. It can spread to other systems in the body, including the neurological and renal systems. As a result, it can cause mood swings, problems with concentration and renal or kidney failure.
Prevention
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According to eMedicine, prevention can be difficult if the source of the mercury is unknown. However, if mercury poisoning happens at home, often it can be relatively easy to prevent mercury poisoning. The first line of defense is to read product labels. Many home products still contain small levels of mercury (home thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries and some cleaning products). Make sure these products are used correctly and kept well out of the reach of children.
Treatment
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There is little that can be done at home to treat mercury poisoning. The first step toward treatment of mercury poisoning is to take the victim immediately to the hospital or doctor. According to eMedicine, activated charcoal may be used to absorb mercury that has been ingested. In severe cases of inhaling vaporized mercury, it may be necessary to provide respiratory assistance to the patient. Other medical interventions include dialysis and the use of chelating agents and other medications that will bind with the mercury and help eliminate it from the system.
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