What is itai-iai?
Iitai-Itai is a disease that is the result of long-term cadmium poisoning. The name comes from Japan, where a large number of people at the age of 50 have developed a condition due to the widespread presence of cadmium in the water of one province; Iitai-Itai means in Japanese. Iitai-ioi disease, or disease of ouch-boh, gets its name from the cries of pain suffering. The condition is quite painful and affects the bones, kidneys and liver, where the cadmium is stored.
Cadmium is a metal that has several modern applications, including some dyes, some types of batteries and electronics, some plastics and colors and in a protective coating applied in steel and iron production. Even at a low dose, it is extremely poisonous to people. Cadmium was discovered in 1817, but the widespread use did not occur until the beginning of the 20th century. Around this time in Japan cadmium contaminated water in the river basin. Was released into the water as a by -product of mining.
People who lived near the Jindza basin walked rice fields located downstream of the pollution. Cadmium entered the rice they ate, and then proved to be toxic to their bodies. Since 1910, environmental pollution has been in the Jinca River and long-term exposure has led to the symptoms of Itai-Itai disease in humans and mass death of the fish of the river. Cadmium is slowly leaving the human body and exposures for many years, such as what people in the Jinca basin have created a high level of accumulation of cadmium in their bodies. The first diagnosis of Iitai-Itai was made in the area of the river basin in 1912.
also written "Iitai Iita", the disease can lead to a condition called osteopenia, which is weakening of bones due to exhausted calcium levels. Weakness, fractures and pain are the result of this loss of calcium. Iitai-Itai can also lead to problems with lung and kidney-friendly as cancer. Urine test can help determine whether cadmium causes human symptoms, and the blood test can determine whether toxic cadmium levels are present in the body.
As soon as itai-Itai has fully developed, there is no treatment. Some things that the patient can do to help alleviate symptoms include vitamin D and calcium supplements. Exposure of cadmium should be, if possible, the elimination of the kidneys. In addition, because cadmium is found in cigarette smoke, it is recommended to stop smokers with Iitai-Itai.