Lead toxicity, or lead poisoning, occurs when lead builds up in the body, causing serious health issues
A 50-year-old man from Mumbai was recently admitted to the hospital after suffering from severe lead poisoning, his doctor revealed. Speaking on Instagram, Dr Vishal Gabale, an internal medicine specialist, shockingly divulged that a pressure cooker was the cause behind his symptoms of memory loss, fatigue, and severe pain and sensation in his legs, caused by lead chemical toxicity.
Lead toxicity, or lead poisoning, occurs when lead builds up in the body, causing various health issues. Experts say even though children are particularly vulnerable, adults also experience significant health issues due to lead exposure. Lead toxicity can affect multiple organ systems, including the brain, kidneys, and reproductive system, with symptoms ranging from subtle to severe.
“On evaluation, all his (patient’s) parameters were normal. We could not get a clear diagnosis till we did a heavy metal screening with a pinch of salt. His lead levels were 22 micrograms per deciliter. His diagnosis was chronic lead poisoning,” said Dr Gabale.
So, where did this lead come from? Dr Gabale said after investigating, he came to know that the patient’s wife had been using the same pressure cooker to cook food for the last 20 years. “When old and damaged aluminum cookers come in contact with acidic foods, lead and aluminum particles dissolve in your food, and an excess of it blocks your neural calcium channels, slowing your brain signals,” he said.
According to Dr Gabale, the patient was then put on chelation therapy, after which he recovered.
What is lead poisoning?
Lead poisoning happens when you are affected by high levels of lead exposure, usually caused by eating or drinking (ingesting) lead, but touching or breathing in the toxic metal can also cause it. Lead poisoning is when any detectable amount of lead is found in your blood.
Doctors say lead affects many parts of your body, including the brain, nerves, blood, digestive organs, and more. Prolonged exposure can damage your nervous system, brain, and other organs, apart from causing learning and behavioural problems, including sudden brain damage and long-term intellectual deficits.
Signs and symptoms of lead poisoning
Often, initially, there will be no symptoms of lead poisoning even though you may look healthy. A few signs can include:
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Stomach cramps
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Hyperactivity (restlessness, fidgeting, and talking too much).
- Learning problems and behavioural changes
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- Numbness in feet and legs
- Loss of sex drive.
- Infertility
- Kidney problem
Is lead poisoning curable?
While many effects of lead poisoning, like infertility and kidney issues, may not be fully reversible, doctors say you can reduce blood lead levels and prevent further exposure by finding and removing the sources of lead from your home or environment.
If your blood lead levels are very high, your doctor may treat them with a medication known as a chelating agent, which binds the lead in your blood and makes it easier for your body to get rid of it.
Doctors also recommend whole-bowel irrigation – a procedure in which you may be given a special solution known as polyethylene glycol by mouth or through a stomach tube to wash out the contents of your stomach and intestines. Bowel irrigation is aimed at preventing further lead absorption if there are lead paint chips identified on an X-ray of your belly.
