Everyone knows how important iodine is for the body. Without this element, the functions of our body will not be performed correctly, and our appearance will not be so attractive. If a person suffers from a lack of iodine, then destructive processes will begin to occur in his body. However, it is very important to consider that an overdose of iodine is also dangerous. In this article, we will learn about the signs and symptoms of overdose, how to diagnose and treat it. Read the information provided carefully in order to protect and arm yourself as much as possible.
Why does our body need iodine?
Iodine is considered a very important and essential trace element for the human body. However, today many people suffer from its deficiency, there are many reasons: improper diet, poor environmental conditions, poor lifestyle and others.
Iodine takes an active part in the metabolic processes of the body, and is also an integral part of thyroid hormones. What does it do in the human body?
- participates in various biochemical reactions and also regulates body temperature;
- iodine is involved in the metabolism of vitamins;
- responsible for the mental activity of a person, takes an active part in the neuropsychic development of the child;
- responsible for the beauty and strength of teeth, nails and hair;
- takes an active part in the overall activities of the human body;
- has a direct effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland.
This trace element is not produced by our body, so it must come from outside. Keep in mind that an overdose of iodine, just like its deficiency, can lead to very serious he alth problems. Therefore, it is very important to control the amount of this trace element in your body.
How can an overdose happen?
There are a large number of drugs that are recommended for iodine deficiency. Also, many people remember from childhood how our parents treated our wounds with an alcohol solution of iodine. In whatever form the drug is, when using it, an overdose of iodine may occur. Consider the main reasons why this can happen:
- prolonged inhalation of iodine vapor;
- conscious or unconscious overuse of tincture of iodine;
- increasing the dosage of preparations containing this trace element;
- irrational use of traditional medicine.
Of course, most often an overdose of iodine occurs by accident, but the deliberate use of an excessive amount of this trace element is not excluded. For example, some girls take large amounts of iodine tincture in order to terminate unwanted pregnancies. Sometimes people use iodine to commit suicide. In this case, it is hardly possible to get the "desired" result, but everything can end with a serious overdose.
Also, an overdose can occur with prolonged exposure to sea water, as well as with excessive consumption of seafood.
Iodine overdose: symptoms
There are a huge number of symptoms that will indicate an excess of iodine. Signs will depend on how it got into the human body. It is also very important to take into account the individual characteristics of each person. After all, the occurrence of allergic reactions to this microelement is also possible. There are three forms of iodine poisoning, the symptoms of which vary. But there are also common signs of an overdose:
- temperature rising;
- loss of appetite;
- out of air;
- fingers tremble finely.
Chronic intoxication
Chronic overdose of iodine in the body develops if a person regularly takes iodine-containing drugs, or works in production. In this casesymptoms will be very mild. First of all, the work of the thyroid gland will be disrupted, so a person will begin to experience various diseases associated with it.
In addition, the patient will also experience the following symptoms:
- Decrease in the body's defenses. A person suffers from colds and infectious diseases very often and for a long time.
- Very often various rashes and acne occur on the skin.
- Deterioration of visual function is also possible. With an overdose, patients often experience conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and many other pathologies of the organs of vision.
Acute oral poisoning
Symptoms of an overdose of iodine in the body in acute oral poisoning are very diverse. In this case, an overdose is observed if a person has taken an excessive amount of drugs containing iodine. For example, I drank tincture of iodine. Then:
- dizziness, nausea, and fever;
- bad breath appears, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity will acquire a brownish tint; there is a metallic taste and the patient will be constantly thirsty;
- many patients complain of sore throat and loss of voice;
- signs of an iodine overdose should also include vomiting with a yellowish or lilac tint of vomit;
- itchy blackheads occur;
- disruption of the digestive tract;
- severe cough occurs.
There are also a large number of other signs. However, it is very important to pay attention not to each of them separately, but to everything as a whole.
If the case of poisoning is very severe, then there may also be an increase in goiter, protrusion of the eyes, inflammation of the internal organs, the occurrence of asthma attacks, and a state of shock.
Overdose due to inhalation of iodine vapor
How to recognize intoxication with iodine vapor? Arise:
- headaches and dizziness;
- runny nose, cough, and excessive watery eyes;
- severe burning sensation in the larynx;
- mouth and tongue turning brown.
As you can see, there are indeed a huge number of signs indicating an overdose of iodine. It is very important to pay attention to them in time in order to start treatment in time.
Diagnostic features
In order to confirm (or make) a diagnosis of an iodine overdose, it is important to see a doctor. The specialist will ask you about all the drugs you use and their dosage, as well as about the conditions of your work and about what foods you eat. The patient must necessarily tell the doctor about all the symptoms that he found in himself. In this case, there is no point in hiding anything.
Already from the words of the patient, it is possible to determine the presence of an overdose. However, to accurately determine the diagnosis, it is very important to take urine and blood tests.
Excessiodine during pregnancy
An overdose of iodine during pregnancy is just as dangerous as its deficiency. However, this phenomenon is extremely rare. Basically, this happens if a pregnant woman suffers from thyroid diseases. In the presence of hyperthyroidism, the level of iodine in the body begins to rise sharply, and this is dangerous both for the woman herself and for her unborn baby. Please note that an excessive amount of iodine in the mother's body can have a negative impact on the development of the fetus, and the course of pregnancy itself, so carefully monitor your he alth indicators.
Features of treatment
Signs of an overdose of iodine in the body signal that the patient needs to urgently start treatment. The sooner he does this, the more likely it is that irreversible changes will not begin to occur in his body. If there are signs of an overdose, be sure to call an ambulance. The paramedics will take all first aid measures, as well as take you to the hospital. What is included in the treatment process:
- use of forced diuresis;
- use of intravenous fluids to cope with dehydration;
- use of special drugs that can remove excess iodine from the body;
- if the patient has problems with the organs of vision, the doctor recommends that the patient bury his eyes with Dikain;
- if the patient is in severe pain, the doctor may prescribe the use of painkillers;
- ifan overdose of iodine has caused problems with the respiratory, cardiovascular or digestive system, it is very important to take medicines that improve their activity.
Could there be complications?
Everyone should be familiar with the information about the dangers of an overdose of iodine. If you do not start eliminating the symptoms of an overdose on time, then the patient may experience very serious and dangerous consequences, namely:
- burns of the upper respiratory tract;
- bleeding in the urine, as well as a decrease in the amount of urine itself;
- improper functioning of the excretory system;
- diseases of the lungs and bronchi, including chronic respiratory failure.
Reviews of doctors and patients
According to doctors, patients with chronic overdose most often turn to them. Usually people prescribe medications containing iodine to themselves, because they think that there is not enough of it in their body. However, as a result, only its excess is obtained. Usually the symptoms of this condition are pronounced, so it is easy to recognize what exactly is the cause of their occurrence.
Patients in their reviews note that it is very easy to get rid of an overdose if you go to the hospital in time. If the overdose has become chronic, then even serious treatment in a hospital may be required. Therefore, if you notice that after using iodine-containing products, your condition is onlyworsens, stop using them immediately and go to the hospital.
Conclusions
Iodine overdose is a very dangerous condition that can lead to serious consequences. If the doctor has recommended that you take iodine-containing drugs, strictly follow the dosage, do not self-medicate. Keep the medicine away from children, as their innocent play can lead to very serious consequences.
