Tobacco poisoning
Tobacco is an annual plant belonging to the nightshade family. It has an erect stem of a cylindrical shape, which can reach a height of 2-3 meters, a branched root of a yellowish-white color and large leaves with a resinous and villous surface.
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The processed tobacco leaves are used for smoking.
A decoction of tobacco leaves is recommended by healers for the treatment of tetanus, dropsy, strangulated hernias, dizziness, toxicosis of pregnant women, seasickness and some other pathological conditions.
How does tobacco poisoning occur?
All parts of the plant contain large quantities of anoxic alkaloid nicotine, which is very toxic to the human body. In addition to it, tobacco contains MAO inhibitors belonging to the class of beta-carbolines (tetrahydroharmine, harmine and harmaline), as well as anabazine, nornicotine, nicotine.
Nicotine has a pronounced cholinomimetic effect. Getting into the human body during smoking or consumption of decoctions of tobacco leaves, it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches the cells of the brain, causing an increase in the synthesis of dopamine in it. Dopamine is a biologically active substance that is responsible for a person's feeling of pleasure. Long-term use of nicotine leads to the formation of physical dependence.
In the body, the targets of nicotine are the ganglia of the vegetative part of the nervous system. In small doses, it has a stimulating effect on them, and in large doses, it first causes a short stimulation, and then leads to ganglionic blockade. This causes the development of hemic hypoxia (oxygen starvation).
The lethal dose for an adult is 50 mg of pure nicotine. This dose contains about 30-50 cigarettes.
Poisoning symptoms
In the initial phase of tobacco poisoning, nicotine has an exciting effect. The victim has the following symptoms:
- increased physical and mental activity;
- intestinal colic;
- nausea;
- profuse salivation;
- arterial hypertension;
- arrhythmia;
- tachycardia;
- dyspnea.
In the future, the clinical picture changes, which is explained by the onset of blockade of neuromuscular synapses, central neurons and autonomic ganglia. The suppression of dopaminergic neurons causes depression of the central nervous system, leading to further impairment of consciousness. The victim has mydriasis (dilated pupils), convulsions, vomiting, bradycardia, and a decrease in blood pressure.
If the patient is not provided with urgent medical care, he will fall into a coma. In the future, death may occur against the background of acute respiratory failure and uncontrollable hypotension.
Source: depositphotos.com
First aid for tobacco poisoning
At the first signs of tobacco poisoning, the victim must be provided with fresh air - take him out into the fresh air, or open a window in the room. In case of mild poisoning, this may be sufficient, as evidenced by a rapid improvement in the condition.
For more severe poisoning, first aid includes:
- Gastric lavage. It can only be carried out if the victim is conscious. You should drink about half a liter of clean water, then press your fingers on the root of the tongue and induce vomiting.
- Reception of sorbents (Activated carbon, Filtrum STI, Smecta). These drugs have the ability to absorb toxins contained in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby preventing their absorption into the blood.
If the patient has a seizure, care must be taken to ensure that he does not fall out of bed and is not seriously injured. If the victim is unconscious, they should be put on their side, this will prevent aspiration of vomit.
Conditions accompanied by breathing disorders are very life-threatening. If breathing stops, it is necessary to immediately begin artificial ventilation of the lungs by mouth-to-mouth method.
When is medical attention needed?
In case of moderate and especially severe tobacco poisoning, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance.
Treatment is carried out in the toxicology department. In case of respiratory disorders and depression of cardiovascular activity - in the intensive care unit.
To accelerate the elimination of nicotine from the body, the patient is shown to carry out forced diuresis and hemosorption on a column with a carbon sorbent. For arrhythmias, antiarrhythmic drugs are prescribed. Breathing analeptics may be administered to improve respiratory function. Severe respiratory failure is an indication for transferring the patient to mechanical ventilation.
Possible consequences
Severe tobacco poisoning can be fatal.
Tobacco poisoning for children is a great danger. The child's body is very sensitive to the effects of nicotine and reacts very violently to intoxication.
Tobacco intoxication is no less fraught with pregnant women. Nicotine contributes to the spasm of the blood vessels of the placenta. This leads to a significant deterioration of the uteroplacental circulation and fetal hypoxia. In addition, nicotine increases the tone of the muscles of the uterus, which can lead to spontaneous miscarriage.
Prevention
Prevention of tobacco poisoning is the active fight against tobacco smoking. It is especially important to carry out health education work with children and adolescents. It is also unacceptable to self-medicate using preparations from tobacco leaves.
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Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author
Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.
Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
