Iodism

Iodine is an essential chemical element for the human body. It is necessary to normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland, to support the immune system, to improve the cardiovascular system, to regulate the body's heat exchange processes. But there are specific indicators of the amount of this microelement necessary for the full functioning of the body - 150 micrograms for an adult, from 175 to 200 micrograms for pregnant women and from 50 to 120 micrograms for children. With excessive iodine intake, various diseases develop. In case of inhalation of iodine vapors or use of this microelement over a long period of time, intoxication of the body occurs, or, so-called in medicine, iodism.

Epidemiology

According to global statistics, more than two hundred million people suffer from excess iodine, and almost a billion people fall into this risk zone.

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Causes iodism

The causes of iodism are:

• Inhalation of iodine vapors (usually occurs in industrial settings);
• Long-term use of drugs containing iodine;
• Consumption of a quantity of this microelement that is several times greater than the daily norm;
• Iodine intolerance in some people;
• Increased sensitivity to iodine-containing drugs (idiosyncrasy).

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Symptoms iodism

Symptoms indicating the occurrence of iodism in the body are the following:

• Painful manifestations on the human mucous membrane: conjunctivitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngitis;
• Changes in the skin in the form of "iododerma" - occurs in the neck, face, limbs, sometimes in the trunk and scalp. Iododerma includes symptoms: scattered rashes, or "iodine acne"; tumor-like formations, 3 to 5 mm in diameter, bordered by an inflammatory rim; urticaria; purpuric and vesicular rashes.
• Toxicoderma is an acute inflammation of the skin, which is caused by individual intolerance to the microelement iodine (occurs in rare cases);
• Increased salivation and lacrimation, rhinitis;
• Disorders of the digestive system (diarrhea with blood, vomiting reactions);
• Increased temperature, thirst; metallic taste in the mouth;
• In very severe cases, breathing may become difficult, shortness of breath, convulsions and hallucinations may occur;
• Yellow color of the skin and mucous membranes, inflammatory processes in the kidneys and stomach;
• Change in color of the oral cavity, breath odor;
• Burning sensation in the throat, hoarse voice;
• A general decrease in the body's immunity, resulting in frequent infectious diseases.

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Forms

There are two types of iodism - acute and chronic. Acute intoxication usually occurs when accidentally inhaling or taking a huge dose of iodine in a short period. The chronic form develops gradually, in people who are usually associated with a certain production. Another case of chronic iodism is an incorrectly calculated treatment regimen with iodine-containing drugs. The chronic form of iodism is usually difficult to determine, since its symptoms are blurred, can coincide with many other pathological conditions, decreased immunity, etc.

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Complications and consequences

Depending on the dose of iodine that has entered the human body, the consequences may be correspondingly different. Thus, in the case of acute iodism, when iodine equivalent to two grams of crystalline iodine enters the human body, death occurs. In less severe cases, burns of the mucous membranes of varying severity may occur.

In case of timely provision of first medical aid, the outcome of iodism can be reduced to a minimum. But since a huge accumulation of iodine destroys protein structures, the consequence can be various disorders in the liver, kidneys, dysfunction of the central nervous system, as well as the cardiovascular system. Complications of iodism also include burns of the mucous membranes, various tissue edemas, the occurrence of an allergic reaction of the body. In complex cases, with edema of the upper respiratory tract, suffocation may occur.

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Diagnostics iodism

Carrying out diagnostic measures comes down to the following procedures:

• Study and analysis of the patient's complete medical history;
• Study of professional activity;
• Examination of the patient (presence of damage to the structure of the mucous membranes, presence of acne on the face and chest area, presence of the smell of iodine, etc.);
• A set of laboratory tests (urine analysis, blood analysis, AES-ISAP method);

Due to the accumulation of the trace element iodine in various organs (thyroid gland, skin, hair, bile, liver, kidneys, salivary glands), a number of studies are carried out for the accurate diagnosis of excess iodine by various parameters. Blood analysis is carried out to determine the content of thyroid hormones, the content of the pituitary hormone, urine analysis - to detect excess iodine in urine, the AES-ISAP method - testing the concentration of iodine on a part of the patient's nail. The latest method for determining iodism - atomic emission spectrometry - is carried out on a special device, the principle of its operation is to determine the wavelength of light emitted by a certain trace element. To conduct this study, the patient's nail plate is used.

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Treatment iodism

In cases of acute poisoning, the skin is cleaned with a 2% soda solution. The stomach is washed with a 5% sodium thiosulfate solution. This drug is used as an antitoxic agent. In cases of poisoning with iodine salts, sodium thiosulfate is prescribed in a dosage of 1.5 - 3 grams, which corresponds to 5-10 milliliters of a 30% solution for intravenous administration. In addition, sodium thiosulfate is also prescribed orally in a single dosage of 2-3 g of a 10% solution, which is prepared by diluting a 30% solution with saline in a ratio of 1:2.

Side effects of the drug may include allergic reactions and sudden changes in blood pressure.

In case of chronic iodism, it is necessary to stop the intake of iodine into the body, i.e. stop taking iodine-containing drugs, exclude work in hazardous production, and prescribe the patient a special salt-free diet.

It should also be noted that various vitamin complexes and dietary supplements may contain the trace element iodine, so these drugs should also be excluded from the patient's diet.

In cases of water-salt metabolism disorders, the patient undergoes infusion therapy.

Surgical treatment is not used in the treatment of iodism.

Treatment with folk methods

Folk remedies are used only as an adjunct in the treatment of iodism. To neutralize the action of the microelement iodine, the following products are used: jelly on starch, butter, eggs, milk.

Prevention

Prevention of iodism and iododerma is very important when prescribing drugs that contain iodine. Also, in cases of using iodine-containing drugs, patients are recommended to drink plenty of alkaline-carbonated water, milk, and take a large dose of sodium carbonate daily. It is necessary to draw the patient's attention to the inadmissibility of drinking alcoholic beverages and hot spices. In case of intolerance to iodine by the body, it is necessary to completely cancel iodine-containing drugs.

Doctors do not recommend prescribing iodine preparations to children under 5 years of age.

If there is a need to use iodine to treat various wounds and ulcers, it is possible to use a drug called "Iodinol" - a compound of iodine with polyvinyl alcohol. Alcohol enhances the effect of iodine and weakens its irritating effect.

All doctors are required to monitor the use of all iodine-containing dietary supplements, since iodine has sanogenic properties.

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Forecast

The prognosis in most cases of iodism and iododerma is favorable. Symptoms disappear after some time if all doctor's recommendations are followed. In case of contact of iodine in the form of crystals with skin, deep burns and even ulcerative skin lesions may occur, which are very difficult to heal.

Very severe cases of nodular iododerma, leading to death, are observed rarely.

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