Mercury poisoning: Symptoms and treatment

Mercury poisoning is the result of being exposed to too much mercury, either through the diet or environment. Mercury is a heavy metal that is highly toxic to humans.

Consuming food that contains mercury is the most common cause of mercury poisoning. Mercury poisoning can cause severe symptoms and put the body at unnecessary risk.

A person can help prevent mercury poisoning by making changes to their diet and environment that limit exposure to the toxic metal.

What is mercury poisoning?

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that is in many everyday products, albeit in tiny amounts. While this limited exposure is usually considered safe, a buildup of mercury is highly dangerous.

Mercury is a liquid at room temperature and readily vaporizes into the air around it. It is often a by-product of industrial processes, such as burning coal for power. Vaporized mercury can make its way into the rain, soil, and water, where it poses a risk to plants, animals, and humans.

Ingesting or coming into contact with too much mercury can cause symptoms of mercury poisoning.

Symptoms and early signs

Mercury may affect the nervous system, leading to neurological symptoms such as:

·         nervousness or anxiety

·         irritability or mood changes

·         numbness

·         memory problems

·         depression

·         physical tremors

As the levels of mercury in the body rise, more symptoms will appear. These symptoms may vary depending on a person's age and exposure levels. Adults with mercury poisoning may experience symptoms such as:

·         muscle weakness

·         metallic taste in the mouth

·         nausea and vomiting

·         lack of motor skills or feeling uncoordinated

·         inability to feel in the hands, face, or other areas

·         changes in vision, hearing, or speech

·         difficulty breathing

·         difficulty walking or standing straight

Mercury can also affect a child's early development. Children with mercury poisoning may show symptoms such as:

·         impaired motor skills

·         problems thinking or problem-solving

·         difficulties learning to speak or understanding language

·         issues with hand-eye coordination

·         being physically unaware of their surroundings

Mercury poisoning tends to develop slowly over time if a person comes into frequent contact with mercury. However, in some cases, mercury poisoning comes on quickly and is associated with a specific incident.

Anyone who experiences a sudden onset of mercury poisoning symptoms should call a doctor or poison control.

Long-term complications

Exposure to high levels of mercury may also put a person at risk for long-term complications, including:

Neurological damage

High levels of mercury in the blood may put a person at risk for long-term neurological damage. These effects may be more pronounced in children who are still developing.

A study in the Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health noted that many incidents of mercury poisoning have led to long-term nerve damage, which can cause:

·         intelligence disorders and low IQ

·         slow reflexes

·         damaged motor skills

·         paralysis

·         numbness

·         problems with memory and concentration

·         symptoms of ADHD

Source: Medical News Today