First aid for food poisoning. First aid for various poisonings

Poisoning is a systemic damage to the body due to the ingestion of toxic substances. Poison can enter the body through the mouth, respiratory tract or skin. There are the following types of poisoning:

food poisoning;
Mushroom poisoning (separated into a separate group, as they differ from ordinary food poisoning);
Drug poisoning;
Poisoning with toxic chemicals (acids, alkalis, household chemicals, oil products);
Alcohol poisoning;
Carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke, ammonia fumes, etc.

In case of poisoning, all functions of the body suffer, but the activity of the nervous, digestive and respiratory systems suffers most. The consequences of poisoning can be very serious, in severe cases, dysfunction of vital organs can be fatal, and therefore first aid in case of poisoning is extremely important, and sometimes a person’s life depends on how timely and correctly it is provided.

General rules for first aid in case of poisoning

The principles of emergency care are as follows:

Stop contact with the toxic substance;
Remove poison from the body as soon as possible;
Support the vital functions of the body, primarily respiratory and cardiac activity. If necessary, carry out resuscitation measures (closed heart massage, mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose breathing);
Call the injured doctor, in urgent cases - an ambulance.

It is important to establish exactly what caused the poisoning, this will help you quickly navigate the situation and effectively provide assistance.

food poisoning

Food poisoning is something that is most often encountered in everyday life, perhaps there is not a single adult who has not experienced this condition on himself. The cause of food poisoning is the ingestion of poor-quality food products, as a rule, we are talking about their bacterial infection.

Symptoms of food poisoning usually develop within an hour or two after eating. These are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache. In severe cases, vomiting and diarrhea become intense and repeated, general weakness appears.

First aid for food poisoning is as follows:

Make gastric lavage. To do this, let the victim drink at least one liter of water or a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate, and then induce vomiting by pressing two fingers on the root of the tongue. This must be done several times, until the vomit consists of one liquid, without impurities;
Give the victim an adsorbent. The most common and inexpensive is activated carbon. It should be taken at the rate of 1 tablet for every 10 kg of weight, so a person weighing 60 kg should take 6 tablets at once. In addition to activated carbon, Polyphepan, Lignin, Diosmectite, Sorbex, Enterosgel, Smecta, etc. are suitable;
If there is no diarrhea, which is rare, you should artificially induce bowel movements, this can be done with an enema or by taking a saline laxative (magnesia, Karlovy Vary salt, etc. are suitable);
Warm the victim - lay him down, wrap him in a blanket, give warm tea, you can put a heating pad on his feet;
Replenish fluid loss by giving the patient plenty of fluids - lightly salted water, unsweetened tea.

mushroom poisoning

First aid for mushroom poisoning differs from assistance for ordinary food poisoning in that the victim must be examined by a doctor, even if the symptoms of poisoning at first glance seem insignificant. The reason is that mushroom poison can cause serious damage to the nervous system, which does not appear immediately. However, if you wait for symptoms to escalate, help may not arrive in time.

Drug poisoning

If drug poisoning has occurred, it is necessary to immediately call a doctor, and before his arrival it is advisable to find out what the victim took and in what quantity. Signs of poisoning with medicinal substances manifest themselves differently depending on the action of the drug that caused the poisoning. Most often it is a lethargic or unconscious state, vomiting, lethargy, salivation, chills, pallor of the skin, convulsions, strange behavior.

If the victim is conscious, while waiting for the arrival of a doctor, it is necessary to carry out the same emergency measures as in case of food poisoning. An unconscious patient should be laid on his side so that when he vomits he does not choke on vomit, control his pulse and breathing, and if they weaken, start resuscitation.

Acid and alkali poisoning

Concentrated acids and alkalis are strong poisons, which, in addition to toxic effects, also cause burns at the site of contact. Since poisoning occurs when acid or alkali enters the body through the mouth, one of its signs is burns of the oral cavity and pharynx, and sometimes lips. First aid for poisoning with such substances includes washing the stomach with clean water, contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to try to inactivate the acid with alkali, nor should one induce vomiting without washing. After gastric lavage in case of acid poisoning, you can give the victim milk or a little vegetable oil to drink.

Poisoning by volatile substances

Poisoning due to inhalation of toxic substances is considered one of the most severe types of intoxication, since the respiratory system is directly involved in the process, therefore, not only breathing suffers, but toxic substances quickly penetrate into the bloodstream, causing damage to the entire body. Thus, the threat in this case is double - intoxication plus a violation of the breathing process. Therefore, the most important first aid measure for poisoning with volatile substances is to provide the victim with clean air.

A conscious person must be taken to clean air, tight clothing should be loosened. If possible, rinse your mouth and throat with a solution of soda (1 tablespoon per glass of water). In the event that consciousness is absent, the victim should be laid with his head elevated and air flow should be provided. It is necessary to check the pulse and respiration, and in case of their violation, carry out resuscitation until the stabilization of cardiac and respiratory activity or until the ambulance arrives.

Mistakes in first aid for poisoning

Some measures taken as emergency aid for poisoning, instead of alleviating the condition of the victim, can cause additional harm to him. Therefore, you should be aware of common mistakes and not make them.

So, when providing emergency assistance for poisoning, you should not:

Give carbonated water to drink;
Induce vomiting in pregnant women, in unconscious victims, in the presence of convulsions;
Trying to give an antidote on your own (for example, neutralize the acid with alkali);
Give laxatives for poisoning with acids, alkalis, household chemicals and petroleum products.

For all types of poisoning, it is necessary to call an ambulance, because. hospitalization is almost always required for poisoning. The only exceptions are mild cases of food poisoning, which can be treated at home.

Food poisoning can strike anywhere. The incubation period of the pathogenic organisms that cause it is very short. Therefore, already 2-6 hours after ingestion of poor-quality food, symptoms begin to appear: the stomach twists, nausea and diarrhea are noted. This phenomenon is frequent, because everyone should know what to take and do in case of poisoning.

How to identify poisoning

To start helping the victim at home, you need to know what signs to determine food poisoning. These include:

Frequent diarrhea, may occur 3-4 times in one hour.
Nausea, urge to vomit, but vomiting itself is rare.
General weakness.
Discomfort in the abdomen.
Temperature rise, slight.
There is cold sweat on the skin.

The patient's condition is not critical, but very unpleasant. If the symptoms are significantly exacerbated, the cause may be salmonellosis, in which it is necessary to consult a doctor.

The most dangerous food poisoning disease is botulism. It is caused by botulinum toxin, which is produced in home-made canned foods prepared using the wrong technology. This toxin causes disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system. There may be visual disturbances, difficulty speaking. In rare cases, visual hallucinations occur. The greatest danger is weakening in the muscles throughout the body: it begins with the muscles of the respiratory system, patients may experience breathing problems, frankly suffocate.

When the symptoms of poisoning are exacerbated, accompanied by pain in the liver or kidneys, disruption of the nervous system, or difficulty breathing, you need to call an ambulance, and not try to do something about it yourself.

What to do in case of food poisoning? In case of severe intoxication, it is necessary first of all to call an ambulance. During the time that doctors will travel, it is important to help the poisoned person relieve symptoms and avoid worsening the condition. First aid must also be provided for mild poisoning, when there is no need to call doctors.

The patient needs to provide bed rest and complete rest. It is better to lie on your side, because with the development of nausea and vomiting, you can choke on vomit. Next, you should do a gastric lavage, for this the patient needs to drink a lot of liquid (water or a soda solution, a solution of potassium permanganate) until only water is in the vomiting - this is a mandatory step in eliminating a strong intoxication syndrome.

To wash the stomach, a solution of potassium permanganate is prepared as follows - in warm boiled water, heated to a state of room temperature and a little higher than -25-40 degrees, pour a solution of potassium permanganate until the solution becomes dark pink - for adults, for children, use a solution of pale pink colors. They drink 2-3 liters of the solution, then induce vomiting by pressing on the root of the tongue.

With signs of food poisoning, the victim must be given first aid. It includes a very unpleasant, but necessary procedure - gastric lavage at home. To do this, drink a large amount of boiled water and induce vomiting. The stomach is washed until the water from the mouth begins to flow clear. To stimulate gag reflexes, several crystals of potassium permanganate or baking soda can be used.

After washing, the patient is recommended to take sorbent preparations that slow down the absorption of harmful toxins into the intestines. They are taken during the first hour every 15 minutes, washed down with a small amount of boiled water. You can make cool compresses on the forehead at a temperature or supply the patient with heating pads for chills.

You can take liver-supporting drugs, because it suffers the most. But the main thing that can help the patient is to ensure rest and provide plenty of drink. The body loses a large amount of fluid, which comes out with loose stools and vomiting. You can replenish the liquid by drinking a lot (often in small sips) of mineral water, herbal teas or compotes. You can make saline solutions and alternate drinking with them.

It is recommended to follow a diet, make light meals without spicy, starchy or sweet. Food poisoning passes quickly, the symptoms appear only 1-2 days, after 3-4 the body is completely restored. But in severe cases, hospitalization of the victim may be required.

There are only a few groups of drugs that can be taken for food poisoning. These include:

Enterosorbents.
Multivitamin complexes.
Hepatoprotective agents.

You can not take antibiotics, as well as medicines aimed at combating nausea and diarrhea. You can take some medications only on the recommendation of a doctor, in other cases it is better not to overexert the body.

A doctor may prescribe medications to restore the balance of electrolytes in the body. These include Regidron, which contains a complex of mineral salts and substances necessary for the body. Antibacterial drugs may be prescribed in cases of severe poisoning. But only specialists can make an appointment and set the dosage. It is impossible to engage in drug self-treatment: all components of the drugs are excreted by the liver, and in case of poisoning, it already suffers.

It is necessary to take enterosorbents in case of poisoning so that toxins are absorbed into the intestinal walls as little as possible. It will take longer for the body to remove the absorbed toxins. Sorbents are taken at home immediately after gastric lavage. The most effective sorbents are:

Activated carbon.
Smekta.
Enterosgel.

Charcoal is taken 2-3 tablets at a time. You need to drink every 15 minutes for an hour, drink boiled or filtered water. The maximum dose of activated carbon is 30 grams of pure substance. After taking the feces will be painted black, it's not scary.

A bag of smecta is dissolved in water, the solution is taken immediately after gastric lavage. Can be used to treat poisoning in young children. In rare cases, after use, constipation occurs.

Enterosgel is available in the form of a paste, it is an analogue of Smecta. One and a half tablespoons of the substance dissolve in water, taken after gastric lavage. You need to drink the solution three times a day to enhance the effect. There were no cases of drug overdose.

Most of the work of removing toxins from the body is done by the liver. It has a huge load, therefore it is recommended to use hepatoprotectors during the treatment of poisoning at home. These include:

Essentiale Forte N.
Heptral.

Essentiale is taken three times a day. During meals, take two capsules inside, drink plenty of liquid. This drug is not prescribed for children under 12 years of age. Reception during pregnancy and lactation is possible.

Heptral has not only a hepatoprotective effect, but also belongs to antidepressants. During pregnancy, during lactation, also with bipolar affective disorder, it is prescribed with caution. Not intended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

Multivitamin complexes serve as excellent support for the body during the treatment of poisoning at home. Can be used by both children and adults. Such complexes contain vitamins and minerals that are needed for normal metabolic processes. The body is weakened by food poisoning, it needs support. Detoxification mechanisms can be assisted by taking such maintenance vitamins. Common complexes:

Vitrum.
Alphabet.
Doppelhertz.

Vitrum vitamins contain a complex of vitamins necessary for the daily nutrition of the body. Produced in the USA. Another complex - Alfavit, also contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals, but is produced in Russia and will cost less. A series of multivitamins Doppelherz offers different complexes to support the body, you can choose the general "from A to Zinc", aimed at strengthening the body.

Any medications and multivitamin complexes are recommended to be agreed with the doctor, despite the rapid incubation period of pathogenic organisms. If the symptoms persist for a long time during home treatment, you will need to make an appointment with a doctor or call an ambulance.

Despite the effectiveness of drugs, they are not always necessary to take. You can eliminate the symptoms of intoxication with folk remedies at home, although the usual Smecta helps many. Smekta is inexpensive and is sold in every pharmacy.

It is necessary to start treatment at home only after cleansing the intestines, otherwise the effectiveness of folk remedies will be low.

You can cure poisoning yourself:

Tincture of cinnamon. Pour 150 grams of cinnamon with 2 liters of boiling water and drink for 1 hour.
Althea infusion. Leaves or flowers of marshmallow brew as tea and drink at least 3 times a day.
Infusion of dill with honey. Dill seeds should be poured with 1.5 liters of boiling water and infused for 2 hours in a thermos. Add a spoonful of honey and drink 1 glass every 2 hours.
Lemon juice. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a glass, dilute with warm water and drink in one gulp.
Sauerkraut juice. Squeeze juice from cabbage and dilute it with water in proportions 1:1. Drink 2 glasses for 2 days.

For a complete recovery, it is necessary to observe a plentiful drinking regimen and diet food for at least 3 days. If the symptoms of intoxication do not disappear for the next 5 days and there is no improvement, you should immediately consult a doctor.

What to do after poisoning? When the symptoms of intoxication have already passed, it is important to restore the health of the body. First of all, it is necessary to restore the intestinal microflora, than to do this - with Linex, Bifidumbacterin preparations.

Nutrition, a properly composed diet, is important. Fatty and fried foods, spicy foods, canned food, marinades, fast food, coffee, carbonated drinks and alcohol should be excluded from the menu. Preference should be given to low-fat broths, cereals and cereals, vegetables and fruits, vegetables can be stewed, baked. It is allowed to eat meat and fish of low-fat varieties. Fermented milk products will help restore the intestinal microflora.

It is necessary to observe the drinking regime, drink enough clean water, you can also use decoctions, kissels, fruit drinks.

The next stage of recovery is to improve the condition of the whole organism, during this period it is recommended to increase immunity, consume a lot of vitamins, and exercise. Sport improves blood circulation throughout the body, including in the digestive tract, which improves the quality of the digestive function.

To prevent food poisoning, prevention is very important:

Be sure to observe personal hygiene (with soap, at least a couple of minutes in a row before eating, wash your hands; especially after visiting the toilet room, communicating with any animals, returning from walks, contact with any frequently used items - a computer, remote controls, etc.)

Use different cutting boards for each type of product (meat, slave, vegetables)

Wash hands before preparing food, rinse food well with soda;

If there are scratches or wounds on the hands, use rubber gloves;

Regularly change the sponges that are used for washing dishes;

It is advisable to use disposable kitchen towels;

When preparing offal from meat, poultry, fish, observe a certain temperature;

Control the temperature at which food is stored in the refrigerator and freezer (they should be stored in food containers with lids)

Any frozen foods should never be re-frozen after thawing;

Expiration dates of products should be checked at the time of purchase and before preparation and consumption of products;

Store waste and garbage in closed containers and out of reach of children.

Almost all of us have experienced food poisoning. The consequences of the fact that a person ate "something wrong" can occur in different forms. However, in any case, intoxication for a certain time “turns off” us from life with various manifestations that we want to deal with as soon as possible. What can you do to help yourself as effectively as possible? Moreover, competent first aid for food poisoning can save the victim from many troubles that he will definitely face if he behaves incorrectly when the first signs of intoxication are detected.

Of course, when the poisoned person lost consciousness, he began to have convulsions or vomiting and diarrhea does not stop and even becomes more frequent, then it is very important to hospitalize the patient as soon as possible. The same should be done if a very small child was poisoned. It is extremely dangerous to wash the baby's stomach at home on your own.

It is worth noting that of all the types of poisoning, food intoxication is the most common. These are rather acute conditions arising from the use, for example, of food in which there are toxins of any origin.

Food intoxications are divided into three types:

arising from the ingestion of poisonous insects, animals, fish, plants,
caused by certain chemicals that have entered the stomach.

Of these three types, the most common is the second option - PTI caused by pathogenic microbes and their metabolic products, toxins. Their causative agents are quite often:

protea,
klebsiella,
staphylococci,
clostridia,
citrobacter and others.

The sources of these microbes can be sick or healthy people who are carriers of bacteria, as well as animals. Getting on the product, microbes begin to actively multiply, releasing toxins, which often do not change the appearance and smell of food, especially in the early stages of its infection.

Symptoms of food poisoning in adults

Basically, food poisoning in adults manifests itself in this way:

spasms, pain in the stomach and along the intestines,
constant nausea,
vomit,
diarrhea,
gases, feeling that the intestines are bursting,
weakness, dizziness,
headache,
tachycardia,
visual impairment - blurry outlines of objects, double vision, a feeling of fog in the eyes,
sometimes there is a subfebrile temperature (up to 38 ° C).

In especially severe cases, there are:

loss of consciousness,
a sharp drop in blood pressure,
convulsions.

In this case, first aid for food poisoning should be as follows:

lay the patient on a flat surface
put his head on one side so that he does not choke on vomit,
make sure that he does not hurt himself with convulsions,
call an ambulance.

How quickly can food poisoning manifest itself? It all depends on the type of toxins with which it is caused. If poisonous mushrooms, plants are eaten, then literally after 15 minutes the first signs of intoxication will make themselves felt. When we are dealing with PTI, on average, the most “interesting” begins about a couple of hours after eating spoiled food.

However, these figures are approximate, because a lot determines:

the health status of the poisoned person,
his lifestyle,
what did he eat before
what medications did you take
whether alcohol or drugs were present.

In any case, the signs of poisoning will still manifest themselves, and the person and / or those around him must determine whether he is able to cope on his own or whether qualified medical assistance is needed. So that it doesn’t turn out that an ambulance was called, but I don’t want to go to the hospital. Then why did they bother the doctors if they were not going to be treated? This means that the condition is not so bad as to go to the hospital and the home option for first aid for food poisoning will help.

It is quite another matter when a small child was poisoned. Here, parents should definitely call the doctor, but they themselves should take measures to help their baby cope with intoxication.

First aid for a child with food poisoning

How to determine that your crumbs have acute food poisoning and you need to urgently call the hospital:

high temperature, up to 38 ° C, which does not subside for two hours,
increasing pain, abdominal cramps that do not go away after bowel movements and / or vomiting,
persistent urge to vomit, diarrhea,
more than 4-5 hours no urination,
high salivation,
difficulty breathing and swallowing
the skin has a bluish tint,
fainting.

Even if your child is showing signs of mild food poisoning, it's still worth calling the doctor for advice on what's best to do.

What do we call mild intoxication in a baby?

stool disorder, urge no more than 3-5 times a day,
short term vomiting
mild and transient fever.

What should be done in any case while you are waiting for a doctor or an ambulance?

Provide the crumbs with plenty of fluids, the one-time volume of which depends on the age of the baby. If the baby is only 1 month old, one teaspoon as a single dose will be enough. Older children need to be given more fluids.
Try if he is over two years old; at home, you can cause a gag reflex in a baby by pressing it on the root of the tongue with a clean finger or a teaspoon. This action must be repeated until the emetic waters become clear.
After the next attack of vomiting, lay the child on its side so that there is no sudden aspiration (sucking) of the contents of the stomach into the lungs.
When the stomach is lavaged and there is no urge to vomit, dehydration must be prevented by frequently giving the crumbs to drink.
Give a sorbent designed specifically for babies. Older children, 5-6 years old, are allowed to give activated charcoal, crushed and dissolved in water, at the rate of a tablet per kilogram of weight.

After the main symptoms of poisoning in the baby are stopped - at home or in the hospital - it is necessary to support his gastrointestinal tract with a sparing diet. With this question, consult a doctor who will help you make a menu suitable for the child's age.

First aid for an adult with food poisoning

Rendering in this case is reduced, first of all, to gastric lavage. For this purpose, you can use both ordinary water and special solutions. If not in the first aid kit, prepare a glucose-salt solution at home. For example, mix a teaspoon of salt and sugar in a glass of water.

If vomiting does not occur by itself, it is necessary to cause it by pressing yourself on the root of the tongue with two fingers. After the emetic solution becomes clear, gastric lavage can be stopped.

Now care must be taken to stop the absorption of toxins through the intestinal wall. Sorbents will help with this. The most popular is activated charcoal, it is drunk from the following calculation: for every 10 kg of body weight, 1 tablet.

If, after taking coal, the patient feels vomiting, let him endure 20-30 minutes for the sorbent to begin its action. Then you can pull everything out, and when everything calms down, take coal again. Usually, after the second attempt, there is no urge to vomit, and coal actively collects the remnants of toxins in the intestines.

After that, lay the patient down, because poisoning provokes severe weakness. Put a towel soaked in salt water on his forehead, which will additionally “draw out” toxins and give a pleasant coolness, relieving tension.

After removing all the symptoms of poisoning, you need to drink a lot, because sorbents cause dehydration of the body.

At first, it is better to drink just pure warm water, then, if the patient does not get worse, you can switch to herbal anti-inflammatory infusions, tea with honey. On the first day, it is recommended to only drink and completely refuse to eat, even if the appetite has awakened. Such fasting will help the body to quickly restore strength and return a person to a better shape than any medicine and, especially, food.

What not to do with food poisoning

Induce a gag reflex in a pregnant woman or when the person has passed out.
Gastric lavage for children under two years of age.
if a person has convulsions or has cardiac diseases.
Put a heating pad on your stomach.
Give fixing decoctions or drugs for diarrhea.
Induce vomiting in case of poisoning with petroleum products, acid or alkali.
Do your own enema, especially for young children, pregnant women and the elderly.
Give drink soda water, milk.
Give acid solutions for alkali poisoning and vice versa.

Prevention of food poisoning

It is impossible to insure 100% against food poisoning, however, there are a number of rules, the observance of which minimizes the possibility of suffering from this kind of intoxication:

give preference to "safe" products that look and smell like they should,
observe the temperature regime when cooking,
do not store cooked food for a long time,
observe the storage rules for all products,
when reheating previously cooked food, bring it to the highest possible temperature,
make sure that raw and cooked foods do not come into contact with each other,
wash your hands frequently
keep your kitchen immaculately clean
keep all products out of the reach of pets and various pests,
take care of the purity of the water you use.

If food poisoning cannot be avoided, the first thing to take care of is gastric lavage. Then proceed according to the scheme given in this article, and, hopefully, recovery will not be long in coming.

First aid for poisoning - what to do?
Poisoning can be caused by various foods and substances. From the article you will learn how to recognize it, and what first aid should be provided in case of poisoning.

According to official statistics alone, more than 300 poisonings per 100,000 people are recorded in Russia every year 1 . Given the bad trend towards self-medication, one can easily guess that in fact this figure is much higher. Undoubtedly, mild poisoning can be cured on its own. The problem is that people do not always pay attention to the symptoms that signal the need for medical attention.

The main signs and symptoms of poisoning with damage to the gastrointestinal tract

The clinic of poisoning is extremely diverse and depends on what exactly the person ate or drank.

However, there are common signs that will help to recognize the failure in the gastrointestinal tract in time. The main symptoms of poisoning are:

1. Sudden weakness, nausea and dizziness. Usually preceded by vomiting.

2. Vomiting is one of the main symptoms of poisoning.

It is caused by two reasons: an attempt by the body to expel a poisonous substance and a direct irritating effect of the toxin on the wall of the stomach. It is because of its "cleansing" properties that you do not need to take antiemetics at the first urge.

3. Pain in the abdomen. It can occur both before and after vomiting. It is caused by a number of reasons:

As a rule, it is localized in the epigastric region - in the center of the abdomen under the xiphoid process. Therefore, enveloping drugs and antispasmodics will help relieve pain.

4. Accession of diarrhea is possible. However, you should not take antidiarrheal drugs right away - diarrhea helps to get rid of a lot of toxins, and also, by its appearance, color and smell, the doctor will be able to more accurately guess the diagnosis. The first step is to drink the liquid and take the sorbent.

5. Intoxication

Headache, "fog" in the head, convulsions - all these are signs of the spread of infection throughout the body. An increase in body temperature and even loss of consciousness is possible. A dangerous symptom is the appearance of delirium, hallucinations, lethargy or visual impairment.

Why does poisoning occur?

The main cause of poisoning is an overdose of drugs, alcohol or poisonous mushrooms. Poisoning can also be caused by food, or rather, microorganisms and their toxins that are in them.

General rules for first aid in case of poisoning

Before providing specialized assistance, the cause of this condition should be established. Be sure to ask the victim what they have eaten or drunk in the last Hours. Look for signs of severe clouding or changes in consciousness and behavior. And provide basic first aid for poisoning:

1) Stop the intake of the provoking factor in the body

2) Induce vomiting

The exception is situations when the patient is unconscious or there is a suspicion of acid or alkali poisoning. In this case, monitor his condition until the doctor arrives.

3) Call "03" and call a doctor in case of suspected serious poisoning. Look for signs of severe clouding or changes in consciousness and behavior.

4) Give the victim a large amount of liquid to drink: first to wash the stomach, then to replenish the lost water.

Important! If acid or alkali poisoning is suspected, it is forbidden to drink water.

5) Take an enterosorbent

Sorbents absorb toxins, facilitating their removal from the body. Hydrolytic lignin, the active ingredient of Filtrum, is recommended by the Ministry of Health for the treatment of food poisoning and intestinal infections in children and adults 2.3

However, it is necessary to know the symptoms of some especially dangerous diseases, the tactics for which differ from the "classic" poisoning. Eating certain types of mushrooms, taking too many medications, and even certain contaminated foods can be fatal.

So what should you pay attention to?

Acute food poisoning

According to studies, food poisoning is most often caused by meat and fast food. But if you understand that you have recently eaten canned food, especially homemade, and a fog appears before your eyes, urgently contact an ambulance: this may be a sign of botulism. The most important treatment for this disease is the introduction of anatoxin.

mushroom poisoning

We are not talking about expired mushrooms, but about poisonous ones. In case of fly agaric poisoning, death is rare, but with a pale grebe, the situation is more serious. She, as you know, disguises herself as honey mushrooms and champignons, and if, after you have eaten mushrooms that look like a pale toadstool, incessant vomiting and diarrhea “fountain” began, urgently call a doctor.

Drug poisoning

Extremely severe poisoning. First of all, you need to provide the standard methods of assistance listed above. And then, while the ambulance is coming, ask the person what medications he took. If the patient cannot speak, look around: empty blisters, an open first-aid kit can suggest the right direction. Be sure to monitor your breathing and heart rate!

Alcohol poisoning

Alcohol poisoning can occur in two cases: an overdose of ethyl alcohol and, more formidable, methyl alcohol poisoning, when even small doses are sufficient. In case of alcohol poisoning, a person should not be left alone. If possible, you should turn it on its side, so one of the causes of death in alcohol poisoning is choking with vomit during sleep when lying on your back.

The load on the body after drinking alcohol can be reduced with the help of a sorbent. The convenient form of Filtrum release allows you to take it even at a party - the tablets are ready to take, they do not need to be diluted with water.

Sorbents for food poisoning

Enterosorbents are one of the first stages of first aid for poisoning of any origin. These are drugs that bind toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing them from being absorbed into the bloodstream.

According to the recommendations of healthcare professionals, a high-quality enterosorbent should have a high ability to absorb toxins of any nature and diameter, have a neutral taste and smell, and also be non-toxic and non-allergic 4 . Filtrum belongs to this kind of sorbents. Millions of pores of different sizes in each Filtrum tablet make it a "universal soldier" in relation to the first stage of first aid for poisoning of any origin.

Necessary measures after poisoning

After recovery, you need to remember about recovery:

The body is weakened, do not overload it with heavy food: the gastrointestinal tract takes a long time to recover.
At least for the first time, give up bad habits: tobacco smoke can have a negative effect on the gastric mucosa, like alcohol.
After the acute period subsides, the diet comes to the fore in restoring the work of the gastrointestinal tract.

Diet after poisoning

Food after poisoning should be fractional, that is, in small portions and at least 4 times a day.

All food must be carefully processed mechanically (chopped, ground) and thermally (boiled or steamed). In this case, it is necessary to exclude foods that cause increased gas formation, such as legumes, cabbage, smoked or spicy dishes, milk and even coffee.

Pureed soups, meat broths from lean meats (beef), steam cutlets are allowed.

During the period of recovery and recovery, it is gradually allowed to add raw vegetables, cheese.

At the same time, food should be high-calorie enough, with a full amount of vitamins, in order to provide the weakened body with the necessary substances.

And - a mandatory item - a large amount of liquid, diluted fruit drinks and mineral water, since during diarrhea, vomiting, a lot of fluid is lost.

Preventive measures

The rules are simple and familiar from childhood:

Wash hands before eating
Don't drink tap water
Eat at approved places
Drink bottled water when traveling - don't risk tasting spring water or brushing your teeth in hot countries with sewer water.
Wash fruits and vegetables with boiled water
Carefully monitor the expiration date of products - treating poisoning is more expensive than a kilogram of fresh meat.
Remember the main rule of travelers and hikers: if you're not sure, don't eat!

1. I.P. Levchuk, M.V. Kostyuchenko, E.A. Morosnikova, E.A. Shishkan. First aid for poisoning: the use of enterosorption "EFFECTIVE PHARMACOTHERAPY. Gastroenterology" №1 (13) | 2014
2. Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated November 9, 2012 No. 730n "On approval of the standard for specialized medical care for acute intestinal infections of unknown etiology of moderate severity"
3. Order of the Ministry of Health of Russia dated November 9, 2012 No. 807n “On approval of the standard for specialized medical care for children with acute intestinal infections and food poisoning of moderate severity”
4. M.R. Konorev. Clinical pharmacology of new generation enterosorbents. Bulletin of pharmacy №4 (62) 2013

The state of food poisoning is extremely dangerous for humans. Decay products, toxins, viruses and microbes that enter the body along with expired or poorly cooked food attack the gastrointestinal tract, causing uncontrollable vomiting, upset stools and general malaise. Due to such characteristic symptoms, the body quickly loses the fluid and nutrients necessary for its proper functioning. Therefore, first aid for food poisoning is mandatory, because in case of its absence, even death can occur.

Specificity of food poisoning

In case of food poisoning, intoxication manifestations are classified according to 2 signs:

Bacterial (infectious). Provoke, viruses and other protozoa that enter the body through low-quality foods and drinks.
Not bacterial (toxic). Toxic and poisonous substances that are not intended for human consumption enter the gastrointestinal tract.

The danger of food poisoning is due to such factors:

The latent (incubation) period is insignificant (no more than 6 hours);
The development of the intoxication process is rapid;
: all people who have eaten a low-quality or unsuitable product will be poisoned;
All cooked long-term meals are potentially dangerous to humans;
Expired and low-quality products outwardly do not stand out from other food.

Most often, food intoxication is provoked by such products:

Cheeses;
Mayonnaise and dishes in which it is contained;
Sweets: pastries, cakes and pies;
Sausage.

Methyl alcohol poisoning is extremely dangerous. This substance is a surrogate for ethanol. That is, methanol is technical alcohol, which is added to household chemicals. It is prohibited for ingestion.

It happens very quickly. In the stomach, its immediate absorption begins. In the process of exposure to gastric juice, alcohol is converted into formic acid and formaldehyde. These substances poison all systems and organs, killing cells and completely blocking their functioning.

The use of methyl alcohol as an alcoholic beverage is fraught with serious consequences. When taken, kidney damage occurs instantly, even after a slight concentration of methanol. Then the functioning of the nervous system, the work of the stomach and intestines is disrupted. If you do not provide first aid in time and do not hospitalize the poisoned person, death will occur.

Characteristic symptoms

In case of food poisoning, the manifestation of a symptomatic picture begins within 2-5 hours after the toxins enter the human alimentary tract. Without appropriate assistance, intoxication progresses for another 2-3 days, then irreversible consequences begin in the body.

The manifestation of symptoms depends on several factors:

Type of toxic effect;
The amount of poisonous substance eaten or drunk;
The state of the immune system and the presence of concomitant chronic diseases.

However, the first signs of poisoning are always the same:

Increased body temperature (above 38 degrees);
Nausea accompanied by vomiting;
Decreased appetite or complete refusal to eat;
Prostration;
in the form of diarrhea, which is accompanied by paroxysmal pain in the abdomen;
Increased gas formation;

Note!

With large doses of toxic substances that have entered the body, symptoms develop in just 2-3 hours. In this case, the person needs urgent medical attention.

If intoxication is caused by neurotoxic poisons, the symptoms are aggravated:

Violation, and then complete loss of visual perception;
Aggressiveness, excitability, delirium, hallucinations;
, paralysis;
Involuntary secretion of saliva, feces and urine.

Note!

In pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, the elderly, intoxication caused by poisoning is very difficult. In the absence of appropriate assistance, death can occur.

The need for first aid

First aid should be started immediately after the appearance of signs of intoxication of the body.

Its main task is to eliminate toxins as quickly as possible, which have not yet managed to penetrate into the bloodstream from the gastrointestinal tract. To do this, you need to thoroughly clean the stomach and intestines from food debris.

It is important!

Acetic acid poisoning does not involve gastric lavage. Organ cleansing should be done by professionals in a medical institution.

The stomach can be cleansed with potassium permanganate. To prepare the solution, stir a few grains of the substance in warm water so that it becomes a pale pink color. Potassium permanganate can be replaced with baking soda or salt in a ratio of 2 liters per tablespoon. If these substances are not available or the time to provide assistance is extremely limited, you can use ordinary warm boiled water.

Note!

The use of cold water for gastric lavage is prohibited! With hypothermia of the organ, the rate of movement of toxic substances through the esophagus increases.

Water is drunk in small sips, trying to drink the entire prepared solution without interruption. If vomiting does not start on its own, they must be artificially induced by pressing on the root of the tongue with fingers or a spoon.

The procedure is carried out until the stomach is completely cleared. You can determine this by clean water, which will come out instead of vomit.

Note!

If the poisoned person does not have diarrhea, you need to empty his intestines to speed up the elimination of poisons from the body. For these purposes, use an enema or drugs that have a laxative effect.

Note!

After a complete cleansing of the gastrointestinal tract, you can not eat for a day!

At this time, you need to drink a lot. The liquid will replenish the lost moisture and remove the remains of toxic substances in the urine. It is necessary to give preference to boiled salted or mineral water. Strong tea with added sugar will help replenish strength, and chamomile solution will disinfect the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

After the stomach and intestines have got rid of toxins, you need to help the body remove their compounds that have already managed to penetrate into the tissues. For this, sorbents are used. The drugs have a binding effect, removing poisonous decay products and other harmful substances accumulated in the intestines along with the feces.

Among the most popular sorbents is activated carbon, which is taken at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight. For the beneficial effect of white coal on the body, 2-3 tablets are enough.

Note!

The presence of diarrhea does not require the use of activated charcoal. With loose stools, coal slows down the removal of pathogenic microflora from the body.

Required Information

If first aid for poisoning is provided correctly, you can continue treatment at home.

After complete cleansing, the poisoned person is provided with complete rest. In case of chills, cover him with a warm blanket, applying a heating pad to his legs. If the temperature of the body has increased, you can use antipyretics.

Note!

It is forbidden to prescribe and take antibiotics and analgesics on your own! In the event of possible complications, these drugs will significantly distort the clinical picture, making it difficult to make a diagnosis.

After improving the condition for 3-4 days, you need to follow a strict diet, refusing to eat fried, fatty and other unhealthy foods. You need to eat in small portions, chewing food thoroughly.

Immediate medical attention is needed if the patient persists with the following symptoms:

Signs of intoxication do not go away for more than three days;
Symptoms of poisoning do not weaken, but increase;
Severe diarrhea lasting more than 3 days;
There are blood impurities in the feces;
Pain in the abdomen does not subside, but they are joined by dizziness, pain in the area of internal organs;
For more than two days, elevated body temperature indicators persist;
Breathlessness begins.

Note!

If food intoxication has occurred in elderly people or babies under three years old, PMP is necessary.

Prevention measures

Properly provided timely assistance will prevent the dangerous consequences of food poisoning.

However, the symptoms of intoxication are extremely unpleasant, and during treatment a person cannot lead a normal life. It is not difficult to avoid pathological manifestations of intoxication. To do this, you need to follow simple precautions:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating and preparing food;
Before eating fresh vegetables, fruits or herbs, rinse them under running water;
Meat, and do not use without prior heat treatment;
For cutting and cutting fish, always use separate devices: a knife and a board;
The meat is thawed in the microwave or in the refrigerator;
Before buying food, check their expiration dates;
Do not eat cooked foods that have been stored for more than two days;
Regularly monitor the temperature in the refrigerator: it should not be less than 30 degrees.

The rules of prevention are simple and consist in observing hygiene standards. Do not cook a large number of dishes at once and store them for several days. Cook more often and enjoy. Then you will not have to deal with such a nuisance as food poisoning.