Avoiding Heavy Metal Poisoning
Some patients who underwent a hip replacement surgery using the DePuy metal-on-metal ASR devices allegedly experienced heavy metal toxicity as a result of the device’s structure. We inevitably encounter heavy metals in our day to day activities. Mercury, lead, aluminum, antimony, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, silver, zinc are the heavy metals we usually come in contact in our immediate environment. However, certain heavy metals are crucial for our body to keep us healthy and well-functional. Zinc, copper, chromium, iron and manganese are the heavy metals we need. Increasing the levels of the following heavy metals is not a safe thing to do since heavy metal poisoning, a complication of unwanted accumulation of harmful heavy metals, occurs. Thus, it is necessary to know the ways to avoid heavy metal poisoning.
People who are working in industrial factories and other workplaces where the products made are composed of heavy metals are at a higher risk for metallosis but there are preventive measures used to avoid this. Protective masks, specially-made suits, thick and impenetrable gloves, boots, and thick-glass goggles are some of the preventive equipment used by the industrial workers to limit or prevent their contact to the heavy metals present in their surroundings. For emergency cases, the vicinity must have respirators, emergency equipment, and medications or substances used to detoxify the afflicted individual’s system.
Brain fogging; persistent pain of one or more of the following body parts: the muscles, soft tissues, tendons, and/or joints; problems associated with the gastrointestinal system such as diarrhea, constipation, flatulence and nausea; unusual changes in the mood and affect; recurrent infections; headaches; dizziness; and problems in the nervous system are some of the drastic side effects of heavy metal toxicity. Mercury, lead, aluminum, antimony, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, silver, zinc and tin are the heavy metals known to cause metallosis in many people. Detoxification is needed when there is heavy metal toxicity because this is a serious condition which could lead to death. Bring the patient to the emergency unit of the nearest hospital in order to apprehend complications from toxic levels of heavy metals. You can also call the poison control line in order to know what could be done as an initial emergency intervention.
For those who were afflicted by metallosis as a result of faulty hip acetebular devices such as DePuy ASR hip products, a hip replacement recall was issued. If you want to learn more about this case, there are related sites available that one can look into.
