All About Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning is caused when increased levels of lead enter into the bloodstream. Lead is a very toxic material, and can be deadly or cause serious brain damage and other health problems if ingested in large enough quantities or if it is exposed to the body for a very long period of time. Lead can be in the soil, air, water, and in some household products, although strict new regulations now watch the content or levels of lead in any produced material. There are many different problems that can occur when someone experiences lead poisoning, and children tend to be the most greatly affected.

Signs and Symptoms

There are several different very serious signs and symptoms to be aware of if you suspect lead poisoning. Lead causes serious problems within the central nervous system, and some symptoms include insomnia, hallucinations, tremors or uncontrollable shaking, vomiting, sweating, and other serious signs. Over time, these symptoms can increase in severity and may last over an extended period of time. Serious and more intense symptoms can include memory loss, depression, loss of sex drive, a strange taste in the mouth, and even kidney failure. Extreme lead poisoning symptoms include swelling of the brain, seizures, migraines, and potential coma.

Basic Information – Important facts about lead poisoning
Symptoms – A basic run-down of lead poisoning symptoms
Prevention Program – What everyone should know and how to deal with lead poisoning
Facts – Information from the EPA

Exposure Routes

The most common form of lead exposure comes from paint. Before the 1970s, lead was a common element in house paint, and is still contained in some homes. Other sources include the inside of older plumbing pipes, which is then transferred into the drinking water. Soil can also be an exposure route, and often this is a result of lead paint seeping into the ground. Certain porcelain, particularly antique dishes and toys can contain lead. If children place toys made of lead or painted with lead paint into their mouths, they can get lead poisoning. Lead dust from dried and scraped paint, and lead emissions from certain machinery can also be exposure routes for humans.

Prevention Program – Some things that can be done to prevent exposure to lead
Childhood Poisonings – How kids can be exposed to lead
About Lead Poisoning – A few things parents should know about lead poisoning
How People are Exposed – Different ways lead get into the human body

Diagnosis

Lead poisoning can often be mistaken for other diseases such as cystic fibrosis or even mental disorders. There are certain procedures that doctors have implemented in order to make a definite diagnosis of lead poisoning. Home water test kits and paint kits are also available to consumers so they know what levels of lead may be in their homes. Blood and urine tests are the easiest ways doctors can determine how much lead is in someone's system. Physicians are aware of what kinds of symptoms are associated with lead poisoning as well as what the proper levels should be. If someone has a high level of lead in their blood or urine, the doctor will proceed with proper treatment.

Making a Diagnosis – What doctors look for, and how they find lead poisoning through tests and symptoms
Childhood Poisoning – Things to be aware of for children
Diagnosing Lead Poisoning – Information on diagnosis and some case studies
Diagnosing Waterfowl – Birds can also be exposed to lead; diagnosing them can help scientists determine the source of lead

Treatments

There are several ways to treat lead poisoning. Chelation therapy is the most common way to treat it and involves drugs that will help to break the lead down within the body until it is eliminated. This process involves stabilizing blood levels as well so the body can recover. Other treatments include adding excess vitamins such as iron or calcium to help counteract the lead levels. In severe or extreme cases, stomach pumping or even surgery may be necessary. Chelation therapy is an ongoing process but it can be stopped if doctors re-test the patient and see that the lead levels are decreasing. Fortunately, most mild lead exposure can be treated and patients often make a full recovery. Those who have been exposed to lead for extended periods of time may encounter a more difficult regimen of treatment.

Treatment – Some simple treatments for lead poisoning
Lead Exposure in Adults – How to determine if you've been exposed, and what can be done about it
Chelation Therapy – In depth information about this particular form of treatment

Complications

There are many complications that can occur as a result of lead poisoning. Muscle pain and weakness are quite common, as well as behavioral problems, particularly in young children. High blood pressure and nerve disorders can occur, and headaches and difficulty hearing can also take place. Some men or women become infertile as a result of lead poisoning. More serious complications of lead poisoning include brain damage, kidney damage, retardation, coma, and even death. This is why it is essential to know how to prevent lead poisoning, and to be aware of the symptoms early on.

Diagnosis and Complications – Information specifically geared toward poisoning in children
Lead Related Resources – Plenty of information about lead and lead-related poisoning
Complications – About symptoms and complications

Prevention

The best way to prevent lead poisoning is to be aware of where lead is contained. Have your home tested for potential lead based paint, and check all toys, jewelry, and ammunition for its lead content. If you do find that there is lead in your home, it's best to have a professional remove it to ensure that it is completely taken out. New regulations have also been put into place to ensure that mass-produced items do not contain lead. If you think you might have lead poisoning, it is a good idea to get tested as soon as possible, so treatment can begin. The sooner people receive treatment, the greater their chances of recovery. Education is the best way to manage lead poisoning and keep it under control.

Lead Poisoning Prevention - Thorough information on prevention
For Homeowners and Renters – An example of guidelines for preventing lead in the home
EPA Disclosures – Guidelines and pamphlets from the EPA, and prevention of lead for children

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