Medical toxicology
Article Abstract:
Medical toxicology is being considered for subspecialty recognition by the American Board of Medical Specialists. The field treats and investigates the symptoms and diagnosis of acute poisoning as well as workplace and environmental exposure to toxins. Research on antidotes for poisoning and overdose, permissible exposure limits to toxins in the workplace and the action of cocaine on the fetus are major areas of concern. Neonatal intensive care units spend an estimated $500 million a year caring for babies of cocaine-addicted mothers. New, safer treatments for lead poisoning permit more aggressive treatment outside the hospital. Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist that can reverse benzodiazepine overdose within minutes. Antibodies to digoxin can reverse digoxin poisoning. Administration of antibodies specific to a particular toxin could be an effective treatment for drug overdose.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The poisoned patient with altered consciousness: controversies in the use of a 'coma cocktail.'(Review)
Article Abstract:
Medical personnel should not automatically administer the 'coma cocktail' to potentially poisoned patients with altered consciousness. The 'coma cocktail' consists of dextrose to normalize low blood sugar, thiamine to correct thiamine deficiency, and naloxone to counteract opioid poisoning. Dextrose and thiamine should be administered to potentially poisoned patients with altered consciousness. Rapid reagent test strips are 75% successful in detecting low blood sugar and help guide dextrose therapy. Thiamine is safe, cost-effective, and emphasizes the need to consider nutritional deficiencies in patients. Patients who exhibit respiratory and central nervous system (CNS) depression due to opioid poisoning are candidates for naloxone. Flumazenil, the newest antidote for CNS depression, is indicated for some cases of benzodiazepine overdose and to counteract therapeutic conscious sedation.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Emergency medicine
Article Abstract:
Hospital emergency departments are a major source of health care for large numbers of poor because of easy access. Sixty-one percent of patients surveyed in a public hospital had no regular health care site. Emergency rooms can be utilized to carry out preventive disease programs aimed at childhood immunizations and drug and alcohol abuse prevention. Vaccination programs would reach more inner-city children who regularly use the emergency room for health care. Intoxicated drivers who end up in the emergency room are at risk for future accidents and could benefit from counseling, detoxification programs and education during the emergency room visit.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: The effect of filtered-coffee consumption on plasma lipid levels: results of a randomized clinical trial. How to interpret a genome-wide association study
- Abstracts: The antioxidant controversy. Essential fatty acids
- Abstracts: Self-treatment for athletes. Stay out of the gym and grow! Conditioning: know when to say when
- Abstracts: New hope for spinal injuries: Dennis Byrd shows there's new promise for trauma victims. Label us confused
- Abstracts: Off-the-wall dieting: from bodybuilding's most outrageous noncomformist. Debbie Muggli