Paralysis signs

The alimentary symptoms may be overshadowed by neuromuscular dysfunction, accompanied by signs of motor weakness that may progress to paralysis of the exterior muscles or the wrist (wrist drop), and less often, of the ankles (foot drop). Encephalopathy, the most serious result of lead poisoning, frequendy occurs in children as a result of pica, ie, ingestion of inorganic lead compounds in paint chips this rarely occurs in adults. Nephropathy has also been associated with chronic lead poisoning (147). The toxic effects of lead may be most pronounced on the developing fetus. Consequendy, women must be particulady cautious of lead exposure (148). The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends a blood level of less than 10 p.m per 100 mL for children. 

Neurotoxicity (damage to the nervous system by a toxic substance) may also be seen with the administration of the aminoglycosides. Signs and symptoms of neurotoxicity include numbness, skin tingling, circum-oral (around the mouth) paresthesia, peripheral paresthesia, tremors, muscle twitching, convulsions, muscle weakness, and neuromuscular blockade (acute muscular paralysis and apnea). 

Stage IV is the stage of respiratory paralysis and is a rare and dangerous stage of anesthesia. At this stage, respiratory arrest and cessation of all vital signs may occur. 

Clinical signs and symptoms of toxicity are related to the overstimulation of muscarinic, nicotinic, and central nervous system receptors in the nervous system. Muscarinic receptors are those activated by the alkaloid drug muscarine. These receptors are under the control of the parasympathetic nervous system, and their hyperactivity results in respiratory and gastrointestinal dysfunction, incontinence, salivation, bradycardia, miosis, and sweating. Nicotinic receptors are those activated by nicotine. Hyperactivity of these receptors results in muscle fasciculations even greater stimulation results in blockade and muscle paralysis (Lefkowitz et al. 1996 Tafliri and Roberts 1987). Hyperactivity of central nervous system receptors results in the frank neurological signs of confusion, ataxia, dizziness, incoordination, and slurred speech, which are manifestations of acute intoxication. Muscarine and nicotine are not... 

Continuous exposure for 30-160 days to aerosols of a triaryl phosphate U.S. military hydraulic fluid, triaryl phosphate (see Table 3-1), produced paralysis in rabbits and chickens after exposure to 102 mg/m3 and 23 mg/m3, respectively, but not after exposure to respective concentrations of 34 mg/m3 or 4.4 mg/m3 (Siegel et al. 1965). Continuous exposure to triaryl phosphate at 110, 103, or 4.4 mg/m3, respectively, produced no signs of neurotoxicity in rats after 36 days, dogs after 99 days, or monkeys after 108 days (Siegel et al. 1965). Intermittent exposure (8 hours/day, 5 days/week for 30 exposures) to 50 mg/m3 triaryl phosphate produced no neurotoxic signs in squirrel monkeys (Siegel et al. 1965). Aerosols of Durad... 

Neurological Signs and Symptoms in Adults. The most severe neurological effect of lead in adults is lead encephalopathy, which is a general term to describe various diseases that affect brain function. Early symptoms that may develop within weeks of initial exposure include dullness, irritability, poor attention span, headache, muscular tremor, loss of memory, and hallucinations. The condition may then worsen, sometimes abruptly, to delirium, convulsions, paralysis, coma, and death (Kumar et al. 1987). Histopathological findings in fatal cases of lead encephalopathy in adults are similar to those in children (see discussion below). 

Signs and Symptoms Causes abortions, stillbirths and fetal deformities including blindness, nystagmus, deafness, dullness, incoordination, and/or paralysis. 

Signs and Symptoms Usually asymptomatic but may develop symptoms of meningoencephalitis including spastic paralysis of the rear legs, lockjaw, and chattering of the teeth. 

Signs and Symptoms Impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular ataxic gait, paralysis, convulsions, and death. Most deaths occur within 2-3 days. 

Signs and Symptoms Fever, anorexia, depression, and incoordination (ataxia). Progressive paralysis, beginning in the hindquarters and ascending toward the head, may develop. In severe cases cannot rise from a dog-sitting position. Although animals that are mildly affected may recover, death usually results from paralysis of the respiratory muscles. 

Signs and Symptoms Range from mild fever and headache to high fever, headache, stupor, disorientation, tremors, meningoencephalitis, convulsions, spastic paralysis, and coma. There is a high incidence of neurologic sequelae. 

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