What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Poisoning?

Chronic poisoning is exposure to a toxic substance over a prolonged period of time. Individuals exposed in this manner do not suffer from the same the same symptoms as people with acute poisoning. Diagnosing a case of chronic poisoning can be difficult since the characteristic signs and symptoms do not occur directly after being exposure, but often days, weeks, or months later.

Aspects

• Individuals suffering from chronic poisoning gradually become ill after either a long period of constant, low-level exposure to the poisonous substance or brief periods of sporadic exposure over time. This differs from acute poisoning in which the affected individuals experience severe symptoms within minutes or hours of ingesting a toxic substance. Chronic poisoning most often occurs with substances that can accumulate in the body over time, such as mercury, DDT, and several types of lead compounds.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• One of the most common symptoms of chronic poisoning is the gradual onset of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. The individual will experience overwhelming and debilitating fatigue and a general feeling of being perpetually unwell. They may develop insomnia and suffer from muscle pain that affects different muscles at different times.

Neurological Problems

• If, over time, deposits of the toxic substance accumulate within the brain, a number of neurological symptoms can develop. These include sudden and unexpected mood swings, irritability, and episodes of excessive anger punctuated by extreme depression. Often, the person begins to have difficulty with short term memory and concentration. In some cases, their verbal and fine motor abilities can be hindered: they may find it harder to come up with the correct words when speaking, or have difficulty writing.

Organ Damage

• Other symptoms develop when the accumulated toxin damages organs within the body. The most common are the liver and the kidney, resulting in the symptoms characteristic of liver or kidney failure: jaundice, fatigue, vomiting or diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, and changes in urinary habits and the amount and appearance of the urine.

Birth Defects

• If a pregnant woman suffers from chronic poisoning, there is a risk that the development of the unborn child will be disrupted, resulting in a physical or neurological birth defect. An example of this phenomenon occurs when pregnant women consume large amounts of methylmercury-containing fish, such as swordfish, tilefish, tuna, and mackerel. In a study conducted in Minimata, Japan, women who ate large amounts of these fish during pregnancy increased their fetus' exposure to mercury and greatly increased the chance of their child being born with cerebral palsy or neurological disorders.