An invariable trace element for humans is iron. It is necessary for the full-fledged work of all organs and systems of the body, however, with an excess of a chemical, serious consequences are possible, sometimes leading to death. An overdose of iron occurs when an element is accidentally or deliberately taken in a single dose from 5 to 30 g. It is also extremely dangerous to systematically exceed the dosage.
Need for iron
The component of hemoglobin is iron. The component promotes erythropoiesis, and is also involved in the transport of oxygen to the tissues. Hemoglobin is involved in the regulation of the nervous and muscular systems, and it also contributes to the production of the necessary energy.
The optimal rate for each individual patient is calculated individually. The main criteria are:
- gender;
- weight;
- age;
- general he althpatient.
So, for children under one year old, it is necessary to prescribe 3-4 mg of iron per day. Children older than a year and up to 10-15 years old need more of the element - about 15 mg.
The need of adult patients for this chemical element varies significantly depending on gender and, accordingly, with a different amount of the incoming substance, an overdose of iron is possible. Symptoms in women can only appear with a large intake of this element. Due to physiological characteristics during the menstrual cycle, they lose a lot of blood. A woman needs at least 18 mg of iron per day, while a man needs 10 mg.
Especially important is the intake of the element during pregnancy and lactation, when its natural loss occurs.
Features of iron absorption in women
In female patients, a clear deficiency of this element is often detected. It is known that it is extremely difficult to get the required dose of a substance with food. The medical risk group includes adolescent girls, as well as donors. Therefore, they are prescribed additional iron supplements. It is also important to follow a proper diet and consume:
- beef liver;
- rabbit meat;
- chicken eggs;
- blueberries;
- fish;
- peas;
- peaches;
- buckwheat.
In tablet form, the drug is prescribed when there is not enough iron, which is confirmed by laboratory clinical tests. However, only a doctor can make such a decision,because an overdose of iron is extremely dangerous for human he alth. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions and recommendations of the doctor.
Iron overdose in the body: symptoms
If a patient has acute intoxication when a large amount of a chemical element is ingested, he may complain of the following symptoms:
- nausea;
- vomiting and poor appetite;
- severe dizziness and headache;
- increased bleeding;
- weakness turning into unconsciousness;
- acute pain in the abdomen;
- liquid stools with blood impurities;
- staining teeth and skin brown;
- lower pressure.
Iron poisoning is also commonly diagnosed among children. Therefore, it is important to keep all medicines out of reach. It is known that the use of ten tablets based on this element at one time by a baby can be fatal.
Overdose causes
Iron overdose can be triggered by the following factors:
- oxygen starvation;
- accidentally or intentionally exceeding the recommended intake of iron supplements;
- hereditary pathology - hemochromatosis, when an element is deposited in tissues and organs;
- chronic alcoholism.
Ethanol enhances the absorption of iron into the blood. ATIn rare cases, an overdose of iron can occur against the background of liver disease. Also, intoxication is sometimes possible with the intake of substances from the external environment or the regular use of water with a high content of iron oxide. In this case, you need to use specialized filters.
Signs of an overdose
When an overdose of iron occurs, the signs of intoxication may be different and depend on the type of poisoning:
- Acute intoxication. Occurs as a result of a single dose of the drug in large quantities.
- Chronic poisoning. Occurs as a result of the systematic and long-term use of iron-containing drugs in quantities that exceed the maximum allowable dosage.
However, when an iron overdose occurs, the symptoms go through several stages:
- At first, there is severe pain in the abdomen, nausea turns into vomiting.
- Then comes the imaginary relief. The patient feels that the signs of poisoning have passed, but further cell damage is in full swing.
- The third stage is characterized by a shock period. The central nervous system, heart, blood vessels, kidneys are affected, bleeding intensifies.
- After this, acute liver failure may develop, as a result of which the patient may fall into a coma.
First aid
If an overdose of iron preparations is diagnosed, then the patient must urgently receive the firsthelp. There is a special antidote - deferoxamine. The substance is able to completely neutralize the incoming element in the body, in addition, doctors often use tetracin-calcium to alleviate the patient's condition.
In any case, in a state of shock during an overdose of iron in the body, it is necessary to call an ambulance and hospitalize a person. At home, you can give a person with severe intoxication before the arrival of doctors a one percent solution of baking soda. To do this, dissolve a spoonful of powder in 100 ml of water.
Methods for removing trace elements from the body
If acute intoxication has occurred, and it is known that the iron-based preparation was taken a few hours ago, gastric lavage and artificially induced vomiting will help to remove the remaining iron. Ipecac syrup can be used. The drug acts on the vomiting center, exciting it. Next, you can offer the person a glass of milk or 1% bicarbonate in an amount of 100 ml.
In any case, calling an ambulance or self-seeking a doctor is necessary. In the hospital, an x-ray of the stomach is required. In the picture, the substance is clearly visualized because it does not transmit X-rays.
Effects of excess iron intake
It is extremely dangerous to take a large amount of this chemical element. It has been proven that the substance is deposited in the heart, liver and seriously disrupts the work of other organs. If you do not notice the problem in time and do not stop it, then the following problems are possible:
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- brain diseases;
- pathology of the heart;
- formation of cancerous tumors.
Under no circumstances should you take iron-based preparations without a doctor's prescription.
Overdose during pregnancy
Often during pregnancy, women experience a lack of iron. Therefore, gynecologists prescribe supplements based on this element. As a result, these patients are at increased risk of poisoning.
In any case, an excess of iron is dangerous. Not only the mother is at risk, but also the developing fetus. After birth, a child whose mother consumed excessive amounts of iron often develops diseases of the nervous system, heart complications and blood diseases.
How to prevent an overdose
The main cases of poisoning with iron compounds are associated with the irregular use of drugs based on them. Moreover, adult patients may intentionally or unintentionally exceed the daily dosage constantly, or use an increased amount of the drug once. To avoid problems, you must be attentive to your own he alth and listen to the advice of a specialist.
However, iron overdose is common in children or elderly patients. In this case, the situation is the most dangerous. A newborn child may be shown macro- and microelements containing iron. As a result, parents may mistakenly offer the baby medicine in excess of the norm. An elderly person is able to forget that not long agotook pills, or did not see the presence of iron in the composition of another used product.
This is why it is so important to ensure that all medications offered to your baby are properly monitored and kept out of reach. It is also necessary to carefully monitor the elderly. It is better if control over the use of drugs lies with a more responsible person or he alth worker. It is recommended that you always carefully study the instructions for any medication. Iron content is always important to consider when using it as part of complex vitamins.
The consequences of an excess of iron in the future
Sometimes slight excesses in the use of iron cause consequences in a later period. Often occurs:
- tachycardia;
- ischemia.
The risk of stroke and heart attack increases, blood vessels are affected. Even after the withdrawal from the state of shock in the later stages, complications in the functioning of the kidneys and the excretory system as a whole are possible. Sometimes an acute type of cirrhosis develops. If intoxication has affected the functioning of internal organs, then chronic diseases are possible.
The danger of self-medication
Drugs are presented in pharmacies that can protect against various diseases. Sometimes people believe that their body lacks certain vitamins and microelements, so they begin to independently take a complex of various substances, including hormonal ones. An overdose of thyroid hormones is more often due to an excess of thyroxine. Therefore, it is forbidden to independently engage in corrective hormonal therapy. Otherwise, anemia, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders and menstrual irregularities may develop.
