Poisoning with chocolate
Chocolate is a confectionery product made from cocoa butter and powder, sugar, milk powder and a number of additives. It is a delicious and nutritious product loved not only by children, but also by adults. It is high in calories, rich in minerals and carbohydrates, contains biologically active substances (caffeine and theobromine), which cause its tonic effect.
Despite all its useful properties, chocolate is not without its drawbacks: it is a strong allergen and can cause poisoning.
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How does chocolate poisoning happen?
Chocolate poisoning is associated with the consumption of low-quality or expired chocolate, seeded with pathogenic microorganisms that can lead to food poisoning (toxicoinfection).
Microorganisms (clostridia, staphylococci, streptococci, salmonella, Escherichia coli), entering the gastrointestinal tract, release toxic substances that cause inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. This inflammation causes signs of gastritis, enteritis and colitis (gastroenteric syndrome). In addition, toxins are absorbed from the intestines and enter the bloodstream, leading to general intoxication.
Poisoning symptoms
When eating poor-quality chocolate, symptoms of poisoning begin to appear after 1-3 hours. These include:
- feeling of discomfort in the epigastric region;
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- abdominal pain that usually gets worse before and during a bowel movement;
- increased body temperature;
- general weakness;
- headache;
- feeling overwhelmed;
- increased thirst;
- decreased or lack of appetite.
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Diagnosis of chocolate poisoning is carried out on the basis of characteristic signs that have arisen after a short time after the consumption of a low-quality product. To identify a specific type of pathogen, a bacteriological study of feces and vomit is carried out.
First aid for chocolate poisoning
First aid is aimed at removing pathogenic microbes and toxic products of their vital activity from the body.
The victim should do gastric lavage "restaurant" method. To do this, you need to drink a few glasses of salted water or a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate, and then, irritating the root of the tongue, induce vomiting. The procedure is repeated several times, until particles of half-digested food are no longer detected in the vomit.
When the stomach is flushed, bacteria and their toxins that have entered it with chocolate are removed from the body, but the small intestine cannot be cleansed in this way. To neutralize the toxins that have managed to penetrate it, you must drink any drug with an absorbing effect (Smecta, Activated carbon, Filtrum STI).
To prevent the development of dehydration and reduce the severity of the intoxication syndrome, the patient should be given as much fluid as possible. For this, it is best to use mineral water without gas or a solution of Peditral, Regidron. You should not drink at once and in large quantities, as this will lead to increased nausea, up to vomiting. Drink often, but in small sips. Children are given liquid every 5-10 minutes for a teaspoon.
When is medical attention required?
In most cases, chocolate poisoning does not require medical intervention; with proper first aid, all symptoms disappear within 2-3 days. However, in some situations, a doctor should be consulted immediately:
- poisoning in young children, pregnant women or the elderly;
- intoxication is accompanied by a high temperature, which cannot be normalized by taking antipyretics (Paracetamol, Aspirin);
- symptoms of poisoning persist for more than 72 hours;
- the appearance of severe weakness, dizziness, convulsions;
- loss of consciousness.
Medical assistance for chocolate poisoning usually includes the normalization of the water-salt balance, the appointment of antidiarrheal drugs, antibiotics, vitamins.
Possible consequences
In the recovery period after the postponed poisoning, there may be a violation of the absorption of nutrients from the small intestine, which is due to the inflammatory process in its walls. To treat this complication, you must adhere to a diet. Patients are allowed:
- weak chicken broth with crackers;
- mashed potatoes with vegetable broth and without adding oil;
- unsweetened rice porridge;
- steam meatballs.
Correctly organized nutrition reduces the load on the organs of the digestive tract and thereby helps to accelerate recovery.
The most dangerous complication of chocolate poisoning, which usually occurs in young children, is dehydration with the loss of trace elements, that is, the development of violations of the water-electrolyte balance.
Prevention
It is quite possible to avoid chocolate poisoning by following the rules:
- do not eat chocolate with an expired shelf life, with the presence of mold on its surface, with an uncharacteristic smell, structure and taste;
- observe the temperature regime of its storage;
- buy chocolate only from trustworthy companies;
- avoid eating chocolate in bulk, as it is difficult to determine its expiration date and storage conditions.
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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!
