$Unique_ID{BRK00295}
$Pretitle{
Community and Social Problems
Accidents, Poisoning, and Violence}
$Title{What are the Symptoms of Lead Poisoning?}
$Subject{lead water poisoning symptoms}
$Volume{Q, O}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What are the Symptoms of Lead Poisoning?


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QUESTION:  We are terribly worried, as recently the community was put on
notice about lead in our water, and the damage it can do to your body.  Can
you discuss lead poisoning so we will all be able to recognize its symptoms?

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ANSWER:  I can and will, but recognizing the symptoms of lead poisoning is not
always easy, and can easily be confused with other ailments.  In the adult,
the symptoms are slow to develop and do so over a period of several weeks.
They can include headache, vague abdominal discomfort which increases, and
develops into colicky abdominal pain accompanied by vomiting and constipation.
Headache is frequent, as well as loss of appetite and, frequently, a metallic
taste in the mouth.  The appearance of symptoms in children is much more rapid
and acute, developing over a period of 4 to 5 days with persistent and
forceful vomiting, changes in gait, changes in consciousness leading to
seizure, finally to coma.  When exposure to lead is halted, the symptoms may
disappear without treatment, only to return if exposure to lead recurrs.
Specific tests exist to determine the amount of lead in the blood (blood lead
concentration-PbB) as well as sensitive screening test which are particularly
useful in testing at-risk children.  Ordinary blood counts can reveal the
disease when the the white cells display a picture called "basophilic
stippling".  Even x-rays are helpful as they reveal lead in the bones.
Treatment for lead intoxication involves the use of chelating agents.  A
chelating agent has the ability to bind metals to it, eliminating its toxic
effective, and clearing the lead from the body, through the kidneys in the
urine.  The use of such powerful chemicals requires skill and careful
attention function of the kidneys during the process.  For this reason
chelating agents are never given as preventive medication to patients without
symptoms.  Of course, here as in all medicine, preventive effort should be
begun, directed at eliminating the source of the lead, from paint,
contaminated foods, folk medicines containing lead, burning lead painted wood,
and water that has come into contact with lead plumbing.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
