Cadmium is a toxic metal found in food, cigarettes, and jewelry that can cause serious medical conditions, including poisoning. Symptoms include flu-like symptoms, difficulty breathing, and kidney failure. Exposure can occur through food, water, or inhaling fumes. Treatment is limited to treating individual symptoms and removing the patient from the source of cadmium. Proper safety guidelines should be followed to avoid exposure.
Cadmium is a potentially toxic type of metal and is used in a variety of products that are readily available to the public. Some sources of cadmium can include food, cigarettes and jewelry. Exposure to cadmium, especially long-term or constant exposure, could lead to a serious medical condition known as cadmium poisoning. Some possible symptoms of cadmium poisoning can include flu-like symptoms, difficulty breathing, and kidney failure. There is no medical treatment for cadmium poisoning, so medical care is limited to treating individual symptoms and removing the patient from the source of cadmium.
Many sources of food and water contain some level of cadmium. Some foods that may contain high levels of cadmium include shellfish and offal such as liver. Possible symptoms of cadmium poisoning from these sources include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients may experience muscle cramps, dizziness or seizures. In some cases, the affected person may go into shock or completely lose consciousness.
Inhaling cadmium fumes is another potential cause of cadmium poisoning and can cause significant lung damage. Some of these symptoms may include muscle weakness, chest pain, or excessive sweating. Some patients may complain of dry mouth or throat and develop a cough. Headaches and breathing problems are also common. You may need supplemental oxygen to improve breathing and prevent damage to other organs.
Constant exposure to cadmium can lead to a particularly nasty form of cadmium poisoning. It takes just a few minutes of constant exposure to lead to potentially life-threatening complications. There may be trouble breathing and a partial or complete loss of smell. Serious organ damage can occur, especially to the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Drastic weight loss and the development of bone fractures can also occur due to cadmium poisoning.
Cadmium poisoning often occurs due to failure to follow proper safety guidelines when using this toxic metal. Containers that have been plated with cadmium should never be used to store food products. Care should be taken when exposed to coal fumes or other fossil fuel fumes because cadmium may be present. If cadmium exposure is suspected, the affected person should visit a doctor immediately so that proper tests can be performed to confirm whether poisoning has occurred. Doctors may induce vomiting or start oxygen therapy in an effort to remove as much cadmium from the body as possible.
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