Toxic disorders

Keywords Anthropogenic toxicants disorders in liver Rehabilitation... 

Toxic disorders Drug, narcotic, heavy metals Organic toxins Medications (prescription) Alcohol consumption Dialysis dementia (aluminum) Removal of offending toxin... 

This is not the only instance known opiates have also on occasion been traced in unofficial remedies of this type (13). The moral is clearly that in seeking the cause of an unidentified but apparently toxic disorder it may be necessary not only to trace but also to analyze any unofficial remedies which may have been taken. 

Zinc is not considered to be toxic, but when freshly formed ZnO is inhaled a disorder known as the oxide shakes or zinc chills sometimes occurs. Where zinc oxide is encountered, recommendations include providing good ventilation to avoid concentration exceeding 5 mg/ms, (time-weighted over an 8-hour exposure, 40-hour work week). 

Tests with animals have revealed that dioxin is one of the most toxic substances known Toward mice it IS about 2000 times more toxic than strychnine and about 150 000 times more toxic than sodium cyanide Fortunately however available evidence in dicates that humans are far more resistant to dioxin than are test animals and so far there have been no human fatalities directly attributable to dioxin The most prominent short term symptom seen so far has been a severe skin disorder known as chloracne Yet to be determined is the answer to the question of... 

Sugar is one of the purest foods made, from natural sources, and has never been known to contain any toxic or harmful components. Intensive investigations by the U.S. Food and Dmg Administration resulted in a book in 1986 on the health and safety factors of sugar (cane and beet) in the diet (18). The conclusion was that sugar has no deleterious effect on health in regard to heart disease, diabetes, or other metaboHc disorder. 

The dosage of flucytosine is 150—200 mg/kg orally in four portions every six hours. A 1% flucytosine solution has been developed for intravenous adrninistration. In some countries, a 10% ointment is also available. In patients with normal renal function, flucytosine is seldom toxic, but occasionally severe toxicity may be observed (leukopenia and thrombocytopenia). Plasma levels should be determined and the dose in patients with impaired renal function should be checked. Liver function tests (transaininases and alkaline phosphatase) should be performed regularly. In some patients with high flucytosine plasma levels, hepatic disorders have been observed (24). 

The effects of occupational exposure to lindane have been investigated extensively (96—100). These studies indicated that occupational exposure to lindane resulted in increased body burdens of this chemical however, toxic effects associated with these exposures were minimal and no central nervous system disorders were observed. This is in contrast to the polyneuropathies that are often observed after exposure to other haloorganic solvents. 

Oxyphenbutazone (712), y-hydroxyphenylbutazone and kebuzone (715) are metabolites of phenylbutazone in liver. The first cited is an equally potent antiinflammatory agent but slightly less toxic. Compounds (711) and (712) are rarely used as analgesics and antipyretics because of their toxicities. The first one is used in therapy of rheumatoid disorders characterized by a lack of detectable antiglobulin and antinuclear antibodies in the serum. The y-hydroxyphenylbutazone has marked uricosuric activity but little antirheumatic effect. Kebuzone (715) is an antiinflammatory agent still widely used in Europe. 

In nonindustrial settings, MCS substances are the cause of indoor air pollution and are the contaminants in air and water. Many of the chemicals which trigger MCS symptoms are known to be irritants or toxic to the nervous system. As an example, volatile organic compounds readily evaporate into the air at room temperature. Permitted airborne levels of such contaminants can still make ordinary people sick. When the human body is assaulted with levels of toxic chemicals that it cannot safely process, it is likely that at some point an individual will become ill. For some, the outcome could be cancer or reproductive damage. Others may become hypersensitive to these chemicals or develop other chronic disorders, while some people may not experience any noticeable health effects. Even where high levels of exposure occur, generally only a small percentage of people become chemically sensitive. 

Hepatic Hepatic means "pertaining to the liver." For example, hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Liver disorders are sometimes marked by jaundice, a yellowish coloration to the whites of the eyes and skin. Certain chemicals are hepatotoxins (toxic to the liver), usually as a result of chronic exposure. One example is carbon tetrachloride (CCI4). 

Organoselenium compounds in particular, once ingested, are slowly released over prolonged periods and result in foul-smelling breath and perspiration. The element is also highly toxic towards grazing sheep, cattle and other animals, and, at concentrations above about 5 ppm, causes severe disorders. Despite this, Se was found (in 1957) to play an essential dietary role in animals and also in humans — it is required in the formation of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase which is involved in fat metabolism. It has also been found that the Incidence of kwashiorkor (severe protein malnutrition) in children is associated with inadequate uptake of Se, and it may well be involved in protection... 

The toxic effects of mercury have long been known,and the use of HgCl, as a poison has already been mentioned. The use of mercury salts in the production of felt for hats and the dust generated in ill-ventilated workshops by the subsequent drying process, led to the nervous disorder known as hatter s shakes and possibly also to the expression mad as a hatter . 

At one time, benzene was widely used as a solvent, both commercially and in research and teaching laboratories. Its use for that purpose has largely been abandoned because of its toxicity. Chronic exposure to benzene vapor leads to various blood disorders and, in extreme cases,... 

In areas where particular crops are grown continuously, decreases in production with time have been noted. The condition is usually species speciAc, and the disorders which result are frequently referred to as soil-sickness or replant problems. Fruit trees are especially sensitive and the problem has been encountered with apples, peaches, grapes, cherries, plums, and citrus. In most situations, phytotoxicity has been related to the formation of toxic materials as a consequence of the microbial decomposition of plant remains. 

Antipsychotic medications are indicated in the treatment of acute and chronic psychotic disorders. These include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and manic states occurring as part of a bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder. The co-adminstration of antipsychotic medication with antidepressants has also been shown to increase the remission rate of severe depressive episodes that are accompanied by psychotic symptoms. Antipsychotic medications are frequently used in the management of agitation associated with delirium, dementia, and toxic effects of both prescribed medications (e.g. L-dopa used in Parkinson s disease) and illicit dtugs (e.g. cocaine, amphetamines, andPCP). They are also indicated in the management of tics that result from Gilles de la Tourette s syndrome, and widely used to control the motor and behavioural manifestations of Huntington s disease. 

---