Lead poisoning is a highly toxic metal and a very strong poison. Lead poisoning is a serious and sometimes fatal condition. It occurs when lead builds up in the body.
Effects of Lead Poisoning on the Human Body
The lead can be found in lead-based paints, including paint on walls of old houses and toys. It can be found in Art supplies, Contaminated dust, Gasoline products sold outside the United States and Canada.
Lead poisoning usually occurs over a period of months or years. It can cause severe mental and physical impairment. Young children are most vulnerable. Investigations in Northern Nigeria recorded a widespread in Zamfara state, villages grind Rick`s to separate the gold from dust with lead to settle on the soil and expose people to the poison.
Thousands of children have dangerous levels of lead in their blood thereby leading to severe cases such as anemia, seizures, coma, or death.
Children get lead in their body by putting the lead-containing objects in their mouth, Touching the lead and putting their fingers in their mouths. Lead is more harmful to children because their brains and nervous systems are still developing. Lead poisoning can be treated but any damage caused can`t be reversed.
SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING
Symptoms are varied. They may affect many parts of the body. Most time, it builds up slowly. It follows repeated exposure to small quantities of lead.
More symptoms include developmental delays, abdominal pain, neurological changes and pains in the joints. Constipation, vomiting, learning disabilities, and fatigue.
In adults it can cause anemia, weakness, kidney and brain damage, high blood pressure, difficulty concentrating, miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth, Headache, mood disorders, reduced sperm count, joint and muscle pains. Even animals like dogs can suffer from lead poisoning.
Treatment should start by avoiding further exposure to lead or lead-based products such as paints, pigment, jewelry, safety pin, stained glass windows and doors, cable sheathings, Dust, food can, imported foods, and so on.
Eating healthy too can help decrease lead absorption. Products such as Milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Green leafy vegetables, Calcium certified foods, and fruits.
Medically the most common process to reduce the amount of lead in the body is called CHELATION (it`s a process whereby a patient ingests a chemical that binds the LEAD, allowing it to be excreted from the body).
Specialists that can help with important information include Occupational Medicine Doctors, Pediatricians, Toxicologists, Neurologists, and Primary Care Providers.