What is clinical toxicology?
Toxicology is a science of poison and its effects on living organisms. There are several divisions of toxicology, one of which is clinical toxicology. Clinical toxicology is a study of toxic or adverse effects of substances such as drugs and chemicals, in the body. Most of these agents are usually given to individuals to provide relief to symptoms or treatment and prevention of diseases.
Clinical toxicology is aimed at diseases associated with short and long -term exposure to various toxic chemicals. It usually coincides with other sciences such as biochemistry, pharmacology and pathology. Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes taking place in the body. Pharmacology deals with the study of drugs in the body and pathology is the study of the disease and its diagnosis by exploring tissues and body fluids.
individuals specializing in clinical toxicology are referred to as clinical toxicologists. Their work focuses on the Akol identification, diagnosis and treatment of conditions resulting from the exposure to harmful substances. They usually study the toxic effects of different drugs in the body and also engage in the treatment and prevention of drug toxicity in the population.
Several factors can affect the toxic effect of a particular substance. One is the amount or dose of the administered drug. Most chemicals, including water and oxygen, are often harmful to the body when used in large doses. Another factor is the way the person was exposed. A person can be exposed to various substances by ingestion, inhalation and penetration of the skin. The exposure time is also a vital factor in the effect of toxic substances in the body.
There are approximately 100,000 admission to the hospital annually related to poisoning. The most common drugs that have resulted in poisoning are paracetamol, salicypose tricyclic antidepressant and phenothiazine. Paracetamol is an over -the -counter drug that is often used to release fever and pain. Salicylate is another cure for fever, body pain and inflammation. TricyclickThe antidepressant is also used to treat emotional and mental problems for the treatment of depression and phenothiazine.
Included in the extent of clinical toxicology, the determination of factors that usually lead to overdose by drugs and poisoning. These factors include an incorrect patient using prescribed medicines, pre -prescription of drugs and inattention to warn with drugs. Drugs can also interact with other drugs that the patient also takes. Allergic reactions may also occur in predisposed individuals.
Drug -related non -evaluation situations often require laboratory work to identify the drug that caused poisoning. Blood is usually extracted from the patient to test the measurement of arterial blood gases, urea, electrolytes and glucose, among other things. Urine test is also often performed.