Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Chemical Exposures
Number of Conditions: 3
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Toxicology and Overdose
Sub-category: Chemical Exposures
Symptoms:
headache; dizziness; nausea; shortness of breath; confusion; loss of consciousness; chest pain; seizures
Root Cause:
Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin with a higher affinity than oxygen, reducing oxygen delivery to tissues and causing hypoxia.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Measurement of carboxyhemoglobin levels in blood using co-oximetry, pulse CO-oximeter, or arterial blood gas analysis. Symptoms and exposure history also aid diagnosis.
Treatment:
Immediate removal from the CO exposure source, 100% oxygen therapy through a non-rebreather mask, or hyperbaric oxygen therapy in severe cases.
Medications:
No direct medications, but 100% oxygen therapy and hyperbaric oxygen are the main treatments. Hyperbaric oxygen is classified as a high-pressure oxygen delivery treatment.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
A leading cause of poisoning-related deaths worldwide, with an estimated 50,000 emergency department visits annually in the U.S.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poorly ventilated spaces, faulty heating systems, exposure to fires, and use of charcoal or gas grills indoors.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with timely treatment; delayed or severe exposure may lead to long-term neurological complications.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Neurological sequelae (e.g., memory loss, difficulty concentrating), myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias, and death.
Cyanide Poisoning
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Toxicology and Overdose
Sub-category: Chemical Exposures
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; confusion; headache; nausea; seizures; loss of consciousness; cardiac arrest
Root Cause:
Cyanide inhibits cytochrome oxidase in mitochondria, blocking cellular respiration and leading to rapid tissue hypoxia.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical suspicion based on exposure history, measurement of cyanide levels in blood, arterial blood gas showing metabolic acidosis with high lactate.
Treatment:
Administration of specific antidotes (e.g., hydroxocobalamin, sodium thiosulfate) and supportive care, including oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation if needed.
Medications:
Hydroxocobalamin (binds cyanide to form cyanocobalamin , excreted in urine), Sodium thiosulfate (enhances cyanide metabolism to thiocyanate), and Nitrites (to induce methemoglobin formation, binding cyanide). These are classified as antidotes.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare in the general population but associated with industrial exposures, smoke inhalation from fires, and deliberate ingestion.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to industrial chemicals, smoke inhalation from fires, ingestion of cyanogenic compounds (e.g., amygdalin in apricot seeds).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with early and appropriate treatment; poor prognosis in delayed or severe cases without intervention.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hypoxic brain injury, multi-organ failure, and death.
Organophosphate Poisoning
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Toxicology and Overdose
Sub-category: Chemical Exposures
Symptoms:
salivation; lacrimation; urination; diarrhea; gastrointestinal cramping; emesis; muscle weakness; seizures; respiratory distress
Root Cause:
Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, leading to accumulation of acetylcholine and overstimulation of cholinergic receptors in the nervous system.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical presentation of cholinergic symptoms, history of exposure to pesticides or organophosphates, low cholinesterase activity in plasma or red blood cells.
Treatment:
Atropine (to counteract muscarinic symptoms), pralidoxime (to regenerate acetylcholinesterase), decontamination (e.g., removal of contaminated clothing, washing skin), and supportive care (e.g., oxygen, mechanical ventilation).
Medications:
Atropine (antimuscarinic agent to reduce secretions and reverse bradycardia), Pralidoxime (AChE reactivator), Diazepam (for seizures).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in agricultural settings; worldwide, organophosphate poisoning accounts for thousands of deaths annually, particularly in developing countries.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Agricultural workers, accidental exposure, and intentional ingestion in cases of self-harm.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; excellent with prompt treatment, but delayed treatment can lead to respiratory failure and death.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure, seizures, long-term neurological sequelae, and death.