How can poisons enter the body

Since they target and destroy nerves they can cause paralysis, seizures and death. Some chemicals that fall into the category of a neurotoxin are listed below: Lead Ethanol drinking alcohol Glutamate Nitric oxide NO Botulinum toxin e.

Some of the items on this list are probably familiar and surprising since you would not normally think of ethanol as a toxin but at sufficient dosage it can cause death. The last chemical on the list is the poison from puffer fish and is most likely the only chemical on the list you would normally associate with being a poison. But each of the chemicals can in fact do damage to the nerves in your body so they qualify as toxins. Hemotoxin and neurotoxin affect the body Adoraim Adoram YouTube.

Neurotoxins have a number of mechanisms by which they inhibit normal neuron cellular processes. These processes include but are not limited to membrane depolarization and inter-neuron communication pathways. The neurotoxin causes death by binding to and keeping nerve cells from performing their normal activities.

When the nerve cells become damaged the body sends signals that cause cellular apoptosis or self-death. The damaged pathways lead to complete nervous system shut down and since nerve signals are what tell our heart to beat and lungs to inhale death soon follows. The table below shows different types of Neurotoxins and their specific type of inhibition:.

Looking specifically as Tetrodotoxin as an example, we see that the tetrodotoxin molecule binds to the channels that allow sodium ions the pass into and out of the nerve cell. Sodium ions are used as part of a "voltage gate" system. Influx of sodium "fires" the neuron to send neutrotransmitters to the brain to signal pain or other reflex actions. With the channels blocked, depolarization is prevented and the nerve cannot propagate the feeling. This would mean the victim of the toxin would lose feeling in that area.

As the toxin and thereby the numbness spreads it will eventually reach the lungs or heart causing arrest and then death. Tetrodotoxin is therefore slow acting and painful with death occurring around 3 hours after ingestion if sufficient quantities are consumed. A cytotoxin is any compound or molecule that has a toxic effect on cells. In the world of poisons, the cytotoxins that are most interesting are those contained in the venom of snakes.

Many of the most deadly snakes in the world have cytotoxic venom: Cobras and Adders. Cytotoxic venom contains several digestive enzymes and molecules known as "spreading factors" which cause both local and systemic injury. Locally the venom causes pain, swelling, bleeding and blistering around the bite mark with eventual necrosis rotting of the tissue in the area of the bite.

Systemically throughout the body anti-clotting proteins in the venom can cause system wide bleeding and organ damage. Hemotoxins are those that destroy red blood cells. If the person is not breathing normally call for an ambulance and start CPR. If conscious: If the mouth has burns from a corrosive poison, wash the poison out as best you can with water. Call for an ambulance Call for an ambulance if the person has difficulty breathing, if they are in severe pain, or if the person has an altered changed level of consciousness.

Call Healthline on if you are not sure. Follow all instructions concerning medical advice or ambulance transport to hospital. Special poisoning situations Inhaled poisons 1. Check for safety before approaching the patient If poisonous fumes are present in a confined space the patient needs to be moved into fresh air as soon as possible.

Inhaled toxic dusts can also be ingested in amounts that may cause trouble. In these situations, appropriate barriers, such as dust masks, are necessary. Injection may occur through the misuse of syringe needles or through accidents with broken glass or other sharp objects that have been contaminated with chemicals. Injections can also occur through high pressure streams of liquids or gases. Injection is not a common route of entry. Prevention - Cautious use of any sharp object is important.

Know proper storage, handling and disposal procedures when using syringe needles, glassware or other potentially sharp objects. Wearing gloves and other protective clothing may also reduce the possibility of injection. Managing Facilities. How Chemicals Enter the Body.