Antifreeze poisoning occurs when a person or animal ingests the substance used in vehicle engines. Symptoms include gastrointestinal problems, intoxication, high blood pressure, muscle spasms, kidney problems, and even death. Children and pets are particularly susceptible to accidental ingestion.
Ethylene glycol poisoning, or antifreeze poisoning, occurs when a person or animal ingests antifreeze, a substance used in vehicle engines. During the first hours after ingestion of this substance, a person may have gastrointestinal problems and act in a state of intoxication. As the body breaks down the substance further, high blood pressure and muscle spasms can also occur. Kidney and urination problems are also common symptoms of antifreeze poisoning.
Antifreeze is a substance used in vehicle radiators to lower the engine temperature. Ethylene glycol is used in most of the antifreezes on the market today. If ingested by a human, either accidentally or intentionally, this compound can cause a variety of side effects. It can be fatal in many cases.
In the first hours to a day after ingestion of the substance, antifreeze can cause various gastrointestinal problems. Nausea and abdominal pain are common symptoms of poisoning, for example. Some people may even vomit.
People suffering from this type of poisoning may even act as if they are drunk. They can be uncoordinated or confused. Slurred speech and dizziness are also common symptoms of ethylene glycol poisoning.
Over time, the body begins to break down the ethylene glycol further, and several symptoms of the poison will become apparent. High blood pressure and muscle spasms can occur, along with breathing problems and an irregular heartbeat. Some people will die at this point, if the poisoning isn’t treated, and organs may start to shut down in others.
The kidneys are the organs most affected by this type of poisoning. Kidney problems usually start a few days after taking the antifreeze. Pain may be felt on the sides of the lower back where the kidneys are located. Some people who experience antifreeze poisoning may also have very little urine or blood may be present in their urine.
Antifreeze can be ingested accidentally or intentionally. Since most antifreeze has a bright color and a sweet taste, children are particularly attracted to it. Most parents are warned to keep antifreeze out of reach of children to avoid poisoning. In some cases, some people have even attempted to commit suicide by ingesting antifreeze.
Cats and dogs are also very susceptible to antifreeze poisoning. Like children, they seem to be attracted to the sweet taste of the substance. Antifreeze poisoning in pets often leads to seizures, convulsions and death.
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