First aid and treatment for methanol poisoning

Methanol poisoning is a common occurrence nowadays. There are many reasons for this. In some cases, poisoning occurs in domestic conditions, when methanol is stored incorrectly, or stored together with food products. Children who like to taste everything often get poisoned in this way.

The second cause of methanol poisoning is alcohol abuse, drinking low-quality and counterfeit alcohol. Counterfeits usually contain methanol (methyl alcohol) instead of ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is a highly toxic compound that causes severe intoxication and disruption of the functional state of the body.

Therapy is resorted to after first aid has been provided, the toxic substance has been neutralized and removed from the body. Detoxification therapy follows. Symptomatic and pathogenetic therapy is used, aimed at correcting the conditions that have arisen, as well as eliminating the main symptoms of the pathology.

Often, strong painkillers are used, since intoxication is usually accompanied by severe pain syndrome. Infusion therapy is used, which is in demand in almost all cases of poisoning. By infusion, it is possible to replenish the deficit of fluid and ions that occurred as a result of the action of the toxic substance. All toxic substances are neutralized and removed.

A large number of supporting substances are injected into the blood, which thin the blood, since during poisoning it tends to thicken. In severe cases of pathology, hemodialysis is indicated, the main purpose of which is to remove toxic substances and tissue decay products from the blood that formed during the period of inflammation.

Symptomatic therapy is aimed at eliminating all the main symptoms of the pathology. In this case, anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed, since poisoning is almost always accompanied by an inflammatory process, as well as tissue damage. Against the background of inflammation, an infectious process often develops, so therapy often includes the need to prescribe antibiotics. After the body has been restored, they resort to diet therapy. It is imperative to drink a large amount of liquid. For several days, you need to fast, then diet No. 1a is prescribed, which must be followed for several months.

What to do in case of methanol poisoning?

In case of methanol poisoning, the first thing to do is to neutralize the poison and remove it from the body. It is also necessary to provide first aid immediately. You should call an ambulance as soon as possible. In the meantime, the victim needs to be provided with access to fresh air. It is necessary to unbutton the top buttons and remove all constricting objects.

It is necessary to clean the stomach of methanol, preventing its absorption through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract into the blood. To do this, you need to induce vomiting, having previously drunk a large amount of water. You can also give the patient activated charcoal. If the victim is unconscious, he must be turned on his side to prevent possible retraction of the tongue and the possibility of suffocation from vomit. After this, you need to try to bring the patient to his senses by giving him the opportunity to sniff cotton wool soaked in ammonia.

First Aid for Methanol Poisoning

First of all, it is necessary to neutralize the effect of methanol on the body as quickly as possible and stop its further absorption into the blood. If ingested, induce vomiting. This is usually done before the ambulance arrives. After the doctor arrives, in a hospital setting, a complete intestinal lavage is usually performed, continuing the procedure until clean water is formed. If there is an antidote, it is mandatory to administer it. Gastric lavage is performed in any case, even if there is blood or purulent masses in the stomach. There are no contraindications to it.

Lavage is usually performed with preliminary premedication. Various painkillers and antispasmodic drugs are used for this. It is important to provide the patient with forced diuresis and blood alkalization. Ice cubes and various medications are used for this. This makes it possible to neutralize the action of acids that have already penetrated the blood. Painkillers and narcotics are used for pain relief. If bleeding occurs, cold is applied to the stomach area.

In severe cases, hemodialysis and transfusions may be required. Further treatment is only initiated after the threat to life has passed and the patient's vital signs have stabilized.

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Medicines

It is necessary to take into account that any medical intervention is carried out only after the patient's condition has stabilized and after the patient's life is no longer in danger. This can only be achieved after the poison has been neutralized and the stomach has been washed. Here, many precautions should be taken. Therefore, it is very important not to prescribe treatment on your own. You can only provide first aid yourself, after which the doctor should select the treatment. It is determined by the complications and damage that methanol has caused to the body. When choosing a remedy, the doctor usually focuses on the patient's current condition, the clinical picture of the disorders, and the test results.

If further treatment is carried out incorrectly, a number of complications may arise. Thus, self-medication is often accompanied by gastric and intestinal disorders, peristalsis disorders, severe pain and spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, increased blood pressure and pulse. Headache, dizziness, and tinnitus are often observed. A dangerous complication of improper medication intake may be a disorder of the nervous system, the endocrine system, which entails a violation of the entire biochemical cycle. As a result, severe disorders of blood function, heart function, liver, and kidneys develop. Fatal cases are often observed.

The first and main medicine that has long been used to treat poisoning is the sorbent activated carbon. It absorbs the action of toxic substances and removes them from the body. It is taken in fairly high concentrations: 5-6 tablets every 3-4 hours on the first day, then the dosage is reduced in the following 3 days. Take 4-5 tablets every 5-6 hours, then 3-4 times a day.

The closest analogue of this drug is sorbex. It is also a powerful sorbent. Take one tablet twice a day. It should be taken with plenty of water: at least 2-2.5 liters per day.

To relieve pain, relieve spasms and activate the adrenal system, a 1% solution of atropine is administered in an amount of 0.1-1%.

An excellent painkiller is ketonal, which is taken 50 mg 1-2 times a day, depending on the severity of the disease and the degree of pain. This is a powerful remedy that has severe side effects. It is not prescribed to people with impaired renal and hepatic function, with cardiac pathologies. The maximum daily dosage should not be exceeded, as it can cause severe intoxication. When the first side effects appear, such as nausea, dizziness, the dosage should be reduced or another drug prescribed.

Folk remedies

Undoubtedly, folk remedies are effective. But they should be taken during the recovery period, after the condition has stabilized and the main functions of the body have been normalized. It is better to consult a doctor before use. It should also be taken into account that the maximum effect can be achieved after the main treatment has been carried out, and when folk remedies are included in the complex therapy.

The main remedy is a mixture that has a detoxifying effect. To prepare, boil the oat grains until completely boiled. Drain the water, then mix the resulting gruel with honey. Use about 2-3 tablespoons of honey per bowl of porridge.

The second remedy is a decoction that allows you to restore the normal condition of the mucous membrane. To prepare the decoction, take about 100 grams of barley groats, pour it with a liter of water, boil, strain. Let the remedy brew for 2-3 hours, then add the juice of a squeezed lemon and 2-3 aloe leaves. Mix everything, drink about a third of a glass, 2-3 times a day.

You can restore strength, activate the immune system, and stimulate the production of immunoglobulin by the mucous membranes using a vitamin mixture. So, to prepare it, you need to mince the berries of black chokeberry, blackberries, or blueberries. Take about 100 grams of each. Additionally, add 50 grams of walnuts and dates (finely chopped or minced). Mix everything, add about 3-4 tablespoons. You can add 0.5 teaspoons of ground cinnamon and ginger.

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Herbal treatment

After poisoning of any kind, cinnamon rose hips are used. It is a great multivitamin remedy, restores strength, normalizes metabolic processes. It is used after intensive exposure to the stomach or intestines. This is the first remedy prescribed in the postoperative period, as well as after gastric lavage.

It increases resistance to infectious diseases, intoxications, inflammation of the mucous membranes. A decoction of the roots is drunk even for malaria.

It is used mainly internally, both as a decoction and as an infusion. A water decoction of rose hips is also often used. To prepare it, take about 2-3 tablespoons of rose hips, crush them in a mortar until they open and form seeds. Then pour a glass of warm water and leave for 2-3 hours. Drink a third of a glass of the remedy, after straining it through a double layer of gauze.

Sage is a virtually irreplaceable herb that is taken for any inflammatory and restorative processes, especially in the case of inflammation of the digestive tract, to eliminate the effects of intoxication. It has an antimicrobial effect, normalizes the activity of endocrine and external secretion glands.

Decoctions and infusions have proven themselves well, used for inflammations, colds, diarrhea, excessive sweating and salivation, heartburn, during the recovery period. It can also be used in the form of an infusion for long-term treatment aimed at restoring the mucous membrane and normalizing the general emotional and hormonal background, increasing the body's ability to self-heal, resistance and endurance.

Greater celandine is widely used in folk medicine for various purposes. It slows the growth of some malignant tumors, reduces and soothes pain, removes warts, calluses, prevents cramps and spasms. Externally, a decoction of the roots is used for baths, washings, and lotions. The milky orange-red juice of celandine is used to remove warts, and is used instead of iodine for cuts. It is used in the form of stems, leaves, and flowers.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies have proven themselves to be excellent in combating the effects of intoxication. They are recommended to be used as part of complex therapy and after a preliminary consultation with a doctor. These are the main precautions that must be strictly observed. It is also recommended to take them only after the main therapy has been carried out, especially after the effect of the poison has been neutralized. Despite the fact that the drugs are relatively safe, have virtually no contraindications, if used incorrectly, there may still be numerous side effects and consequences. The most dangerous complication is disruption of the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system, headache, and increased signs of intoxication.

It is recommended to use herbal mixtures prepared as a decoction or infusion. A mixture that includes flax seeds, hawthorn and rose hips, and chamomile has proven itself well. All components are taken in equal parts and mixed thoroughly. From the resulting mixture, take 2-3 tablespoons per 2 cups of boiling water, pour in, and leave for 1-1.5 hours. After that, take a third of a glass three times a day, you can add 2-3 tablespoons of honey.

The infusion also has excellent restorative potential. To prepare it, take 3 tablespoons of rowan, raspberry leaves, sage, and rose hips. Pour 500 mo of vodka or alcohol over it. Let it brew for 2-3 days in a dark place. Then take 2-3 tablespoons twice a day.

A decoction of stevia and nettle has a stimulating effect. It activates the immune system, normalizes the condition of the mucous membranes, increases the body's resistance and endurance. To prepare it, take a tablespoon of stevia and 2-3 nettle leaves, pour boiling water over them, and then start drinking a third of a glass three times a day. If there is a lot of sediment, you can strain it through several layers of gauze. Usually, the decoction has a sweet taste, since stevia is an excellent sugar substitute that is used in dietary nutrition and for diabetes.