Drug poisoning is a fairly common situation. Many people have an already formed habit of reaching for medications for any ailment, bypassing a doctor’s appointment. This problem is associated with the impossibility of obtaining medical care in a short time, and with the over-the-counter dispensing of many medications in pharmacies. Typically, the reasons for taking medications without a prescription from a specialist are headaches, gastrointestinal tract disorders, spasms, back and joint pain.
Poisoning occurs due to a number of factors:
- exceeding the recommended dosage;
- uncontrolled use of the prescribed drug. For example, taking a dose for several days at a time;
- taking a combination of incompatible drugs - two drugs, and/or alcohol incompatible with the drug;
- use of expired drugs;
- errors in choosing a medication.
Drug intoxication can lead to dangerous consequences for life and health. Therefore, for any ailments that appear while taking medications, consult a doctor immediately.
Drug poisoning. Uncontrolled use of medications is a common cause of poisoning.
What is a cough?
Coughing is a defense mechanism that clears the airways of irritants and germs. It can safely be called a useful reaction of our body: after all, it protects the trachea and bronchi from pathogenic infections and foreign bodies.
Most often, a cough may indicate a cold, but it is important to understand that severe coughing attacks can be symptoms of dangerous processes in the body and serious, and sometimes chronic, diseases. In one case or another, the cough has its own characteristics, and it is its character that helps make an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor in time to determine the cause of the symptom.
Treatment of drug intoxication
The basis of treatment is drug withdrawal. Neurological symptoms are of great importance in diagnosing the condition. The drug and its breakdown products are eliminated through all excretory organs: intestines, kidneys, saliva, sweat glands. The main routes of elimination are the kidneys and liver. Toxins are eliminated from the kidneys quickly enough and are eliminated in the urine. The situation is more complicated with drugs that are eliminated through the gastrointestinal tract.
From the liver cells, the breakdown products of the drug enter the bile and end up with it in the intestines, where they can be reabsorbed and delivered to the liver. This process is called enterohepatic circulation of substances. In some cases, harmful substances are excreted from the intestines along with feces. Circulation can result in toxins remaining in the body for quite a long time. This creates a high load on the liver, provokes the activity of liver enzymes and unpleasant symptoms.
But the entry of drugs and their breakdown products into the stomach, as well as their further movement through the intestines, does not pass without a trace. Peristalsis is disrupted, mucous membranes are irritated, and an imbalance of bacteria occurs. For example, many antibiotics have a detrimental effect on the intestinal microflora. Frequent, prolonged use or an inadequate dose can lead to intoxication. You can speed up their removal with the help of sorbents.
It is important to understand that many mild symptoms of intoxication are an attempt by the body to independently remove excess substances. There is no need to interfere with these processes if they proceed in moderation. It is best to provide conditions under which natural cleansing will occur. For example, with moderate vomiting, you should not resort to the use of antiemetic drugs. You should sound the alarm if your temperature rises above 38.5 °C, uncontrollable vomiting that interferes with fluid intake, signs of dehydration and frequent diarrhea.
Treatment of drug poisoning is carried out using several methods:
- gastric and intestinal lavage (according to indications);
- intravenous infusions to accelerate the elimination of toxins, replenish lost fluid due to diarrhea and vomiting. This technique is appropriate for acute forms of intoxication, in a hospital setting;
- prescribing enterosorbents for internal use to bind and remove toxic substances;
- use of enzyme preparations and diuretics according to indications;
- the use of probiotics and prebiotics to restore normal intestinal microflora;
- vitamin therapy and antioxidant treatment to neutralize free radicals.
For chronic intoxications, outpatient treatment is allowed. But it is important to consult a physician to find out the exact cause of poisoning, adjust the dosage of regularly used medications, or choose an alternative.
In the future, you can cope with the elimination of toxic substances with the help of plenty of drinking, a gentle diet, and enterosorbents. One of the effective drugs to combat intoxication is Fitomucil Sorbent Forte. The product contains a plant sorbent, inulin - a prebiotic that promotes the growth of its own beneficial microflora, as well as live bacteria. The drug accelerates the elimination of harmful substances and improves motility of the gastrointestinal tract. It has a gentle effect on the gastrointestinal tract and does not cause bloating or abdominal pain.
Dry cough
A dry cough originates in the upper respiratory tract. It comes in fits and starts - often unpredictable and uncontrollable. The process is accompanied by a “barking” sound. However, the attacks do not bring relief.
The cause of a dry cough can be inflammation of the throat mucosa and soreness. However, a prolonged cough only irritates the mucous membrane more, forming a “vicious circle.” Also, a dry cough occurs when the bronchi do not secrete enough mucus to effectively remove germs from the body.
If you have a severe and prolonged dry cough due to a cold, your doctor may recommend a drug that stops the cough reflex (Omnitus, Sinekod). And to facilitate the discharge of sputum, special means that stimulate expectoration (Bronchicum TP, Gerbion, licorice root syrup) may be recommended.
With proper diagnosis and treatment, the dry cough is replaced by a wet one, the infection and germs are removed from the body along with sputum, and the inflammation goes away.
First aid
Often, a person who finds himself next to a patient does not know what exactly caused the intoxication and what to do in case of drug poisoning. In some cases, the first symptoms can be noticed only a few hours after taking the drugs. But there are several general rules for providing first aid. They are relevant for all severe cases:
- immediately call an ambulance;
- if a person is unconscious, but there is normal breathing and heart rate, it is necessary to lay him on his side;
- If a person is conscious and less than half an hour has passed since taking the medicine, it is necessary to give him a large amount of water and artificially induce vomiting. To do this, you need to press on the root of the tongue. If you do not know what poisoned a person, there is no need to induce vomiting;
- · After vomiting, give the patient a sorbent.
Drug poisoning. First aid for poisoning.
If a person is in serious condition, breathing slows down, the pulse is difficult to palpate, and artificial respiration must be performed. Remember that inaction can have fatal consequences.
It is necessary to show the emergency medicine packaging to the emergency doctors and describe the person’s condition. If you know that a person took alcohol along with the medicine, also tell the doctors about this.
Moist cough
With a wet cough, sputum is easily released from the bronchi. It originates in the depths of the chest and after each coughing the patient feels relief. The process is accompanied by bubbling sounds and wheezing. Typically, an attack of wet cough occurs in the morning after sleep and when the body position changes.
Often, a wet cough can be a symptom of a viral infection. When treating it, it is recommended to use drugs not for cough, but, on the contrary, for it. If the sputum is too viscous and difficult to clear, the doctor may prescribe mucolytic drugs (“ACC”, “Ambrobene”) - they dilute the sputum and facilitate its removal from the lungs, so the body quickly clears itself of the infection and gets better.
Mistakes in cough treatment:
- It is not recommended to take mucolytic drugs for dry cough. If there is no sputum yet, then such a medicine can only do harm.
- You cannot take anti-cough medications if the cough is wet - the sputum must be removed from the body, as it contains pathogenic bacteria.
- During illness, it is extremely important to remember to drink as much fluid as possible and maintain optimal humidity in the room.
Remember that cough is a symptom of a number of diseases. Consult your doctor to choose the right treatment regimen!
Symptoms of drug intoxication
Symptoms of drug poisoning can be very different; the manifestations are mainly determined by the type of drug. A distinctive feature of drug poisoning is its detrimental effect on the central nervous system. Common symptoms include weakness, lethargy, decreased reaction time, or severe psychomotor agitation. Cases of loss of consciousness are known in practice.
One of the common symptoms includes severe headaches. They can even be triggered by hormonal agents, especially if the patient has a predisposition to periodic headaches. When taking hormones, compensatory mechanisms are disrupted, which normally maintain the absence of symptoms. This occurs when taking a large dose of drugs containing caffeine, nitrates, hydralazine, bronchodilators, etc.
An overdose of antibacterial drugs is often accompanied by negative manifestations from the gastrointestinal tract: diarrhea, abdominal pain, increased gas formation. For example, an overdose of penicillin antibiotics leads to rash, vomiting, and convulsions. Excess chloramphenicol can cause heart failure.
Symptoms of poisoning with drugs used to normalize cardiovascular function include:
- heart rhythm disturbance;
- spasms and bradycardia;
- gagging.
An overdose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs affects the central nervous system: depression of consciousness, lethargy, lethargy, sleep disturbances, etc. are observed. The use of large amounts of antihistamines (decongestants, antiallergic) drugs can provoke weakness, dilated pupils, hallucinations, and psychomotor agitation.
Poisoning with tranquilizers is dangerous due to disturbances in heart rhythm, suppression of central nervous system function and respiratory disorders, convulsions, severe tremors of the limbs, and hallucinations. The patient's speech may be incoherent and slurred.
It is important to understand that manifestations depend not only on the presence of a particular active substance in the blood, but also on its concentration. Even traditionally beneficial components, such as vitamins, can be harmful and lead to the need for detoxification. What one person can easily endure, another will endure with a whole range of unpleasant manifestations.
How to distinguish a cough with coronavirus from other diseases
Is it possible to distinguish a “coronavirus” cough? kp.ru talked about this with the chief pulmonologist of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, head of the department of pulmonology of the medical faculty of Sechenov University, Doctor of Medical Sciences, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Sergei Avdeev.
HOW OFTEN DOES COUGH OCCUR WITH CORONAVIRUS?
— Sergei Nikolaevich, do you always have a cough with coronavirus?
- No. Cough occurs in approximately 30 to 50% of patients with COVID-19. That is, in more than half of cases with coronavirus there is no cough. At the same time, there are many other diseases that are in no way related to coronavirus infection, in which a person coughs. So, if you have a cough, this is not a reason to go get tested for COVID.
— Can we suspect coronavirus based on some features of the cough?
- No we can not. This is a normal dry cough, no different from a cough caused by other viral infections.
— Doctors say: if you have coronavirus not in severe form, stay at home and only when shortness of breath begins, call a doctor. But many people got used to, just starting to cough, drinking syrups, breathing over boiled potatoes, and so on. What if it’s coronavirus, won’t we aggravate the disease in such ways?
- No, it is unlikely to get worse from such procedures. But you are unlikely to help yourself cope with this infection if you are treated with vapors from boiled potatoes or other inhalations. The main recommendation is not to leave the house anywhere. Because today, in most cases, coronavirus infection is treated at home.
— Nowadays, with acute respiratory infections, people once again try not to call a doctor.
— In my opinion, there is a rational grain in this. The more contacts we have, including in medical institutions, the greater the risk of contracting coronavirus infection. Therefore, if someone has an acute respiratory infection in a mild form according to the usual scenario for non-severe respiratory diseases, it makes sense not to go anywhere and get treatment on your own.
WITH BRONCHITIS AND ASTHMA - AT RISK ZONE?
— Is coronavirus even more dangerous for people with bronchitis or asthma than for others? Maybe it makes sense for them to somehow additionally protect themselves?
— In fact, those most at risk of contracting coronavirus infection are not those who have bronchitis or asthma, but people suffering from diabetes, obesity and arterial hypertension. For all patients who are on some kind of maintenance therapy, it is very important to continue to use it without changing it in any way. Take the same medications and in the same dosages as prescribed by your doctor.
As for additional measures to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection, they are well known to everyone. This is self-isolation and hygiene. They are effective and beneficial for all people.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE LUNG IN ASYMPTOMIC DISEASE
— They say that up to 60% of infected people experience this infection asymptomatically. What happens to the lungs?
— There may be slight changes in the lungs. For example, mild pneumonia is possible. This is an amazing situation; this has never happened before in medical practice, but a patient with coronavirus infection can suffer mild pneumonia without symptoms and recover. And this is already an irrefutably proven fact.
— Can such pneumonia turn into a severe form?
— If pneumonia remains asymptomatic, how can it become severe? As a rule, such diseases proceed according to a favorable scenario. I think many Russians have already suffered from coronavirus infection and didn’t even notice. Antibody-based methods for studying this infection will soon be widely available, then we will understand how many people we actually have had COVID. If we are talking about a mild course of this disease, then pneumonia can go away and leave almost no traces in the lungs. I am sure that this is exactly what happened to many Russians.
- But if pneumonia takes on severe forms, will we notice it by fever and cough?
- No, shortness of breath comes first here. In severe cases of the disease, this is the very first warning sign that you need to consult a doctor as soon as possible and decide on further treatment.
LUNG DAMAGE AFTER CORONAVIRUS: TEMPORARY OR FOREVER?
— Is it possible to get sick with coronavirus without damaging your lungs at all?
- I think yes.
— Is it even possible to recover from coronavirus?
— The vast majority of patients are cured.
— I have heard the opinion that even those who seem to be cured of coronavirus still have serious lesions in the lungs: fibrosis that does not resolve, changes in the structure of the lung tissue. Is it so?
Indications for ACC
Before taking the drug, you must consult your doctor. ACC is prescribed for the following diseases:
- respiratory diseases in the acute and chronic stages accompanied by the formation of sputum;
- otitis media, sinusitis in acute and chronic stages of the disease, rhinosinusitis;
- post-traumatic and postoperative conditions, accompanied by the formation of a viscous secretion.
Methods of using ACC
The daily dose of the drug for adults and adolescents from 14 years of age should not exceed 600 mg, children from 6 to 14 years of age are recommended no more than 400 mg, children under 5 years of age - no more than 300 mg of ACC per day. In some cases, the doctor may increase the daily dose of the medicine.
During the period of colds accompanied by cough with the formation of sputum, ACC is taken for 5 to 7 days. For more severe diseases - cystic fibrosis and bronchitis, the duration of taking the drug may be much longer.
The solution is consumed after meals. It is also recommended to take the medicine with water, as additional fluid intake enhances the effect of the drug.
