Avoiding Heavy Metal Poisoning

Increasing concern about heavy metals arose partly due to DePuy hip replacement devices, notably the metal-on-metal hip acetebular prostheses, which was said to cause heavy metal toxicity. Unfortunately, we encounter heavy metals unknowingly everyday. The heavy metals which can be found at home, school and our environment that can cause heavy metal poisoning are mercury, lead, aluminum, antimony, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, silver, zinc. Some heavy metals are even utilized by our bodies to maintain the balance needed to keep our physique well-functioning and healthy. Such "essential" heavy metals are zinc, copper, chromium, iron and manganese but note that we only need minimum amount of these. However, heavy metal toxicity results if there is an abnormal accumulation of any of the above mentioned heavy metals. Thus, it is necessary to know the ways to avoid heavy metal poisoning.

Occupational hazard is the most common cause of heavy metal poisoning and there are ways we can use to prevent complications from too much contact with these heavy metals during work. Several precautionary methods employed by workers in the industry and factories are protective clothing such as protective masks, specially-made suits, thick and impenetrable gloves, boots, and thick-glass goggles. Respirators, emergency equipment, and medications or substances used to normalize the abnormal levels of the harmful heavy metals like those in chelation therapy should be ready at hand in case someone is observed to have the signs and symptoms of metallosis.

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. The heavy metals found to be the prevalent cause of heavy metal toxicity are mercury, lead, aluminum, antimony, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, silver, zinc and tin. When there is heavy metal poisoning, detoxifying emergency interventions must be immediately implemented since this could lead to grave conditions which could ultimately lead to death if left untreated. Bring the patient to the emergency unit of the nearest hospital in order to apprehend complications from toxic levels of heavy metals. For initial heavy metal poisoning managements, you can the consult poison control lines.

In cases where complications from hip replacement surgery using faulty DePuy ASR hip products were experienced, there was an issuance of a hip replacement recall. If you are interested to learn more about the updates about this case, you can visit related sites available.