Nicole Murphy mercury poisoning

Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife Nicole Murphy posted the above photo to her Instagram page, along with a message to raise awareness of mercury poisoning.

Nicole Murphy mercury poisoning

Mercury can be found in many common household items including glass thermometers, batteries, fluorescent lightbulbs, etc.

Causes

The main cause of mercury Poisoning is consuming a diet of fish or foods that contains high levels of selenium and mercury. Exposure to mercury can also come from breathing contaminated air (fumes from burning charcoal) or from direct exposure to mercury when working in laboratories, dentist’s offices, clinics, hospitals, etc.

Nicole Murphy mercury poisonin

Young children can be exposed to mercury by eating a diet high in selenium. Foods that contain selenium include Fish (tuna, sardines, salmon), poultry (chicken, turkey), eggs, meat (beef, liver, lamb, pork); shellfish (oysters, mussels, shrimp, clams, scallops); nuts (sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts); mushrooms, onions and grains.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning in adults include weakness and/or numbness in arms and legs, inability to walk, shaking tremors in hands, a sensation of pins and needles, itching or burning in the hands and feet. Discoloration of fingertips and toes. Swelling and peeling of skin. Visual problems (blurred vision, double vision, blindness); memory problems, seizures, and brain damage from longterm exposure.

Signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning in children include: redness in cheeks, nose and lips, loss of hair, teeth, and nails, skin rash, muscle weakness, increased sensitivity to light, memory lapses, kidney failure, etc.

Inhaling elemental mercury (fumes from burning charcoal) can cause difficulty breathing, cough, metallic taste in mouth, vomiting, swollen, bleeding gums.

An overdose of mercury can result in internal hemorrhage, kidney failure, and death.

Treatment

Treatment for mercury poisoning depends on the type of exposure.

If the mercury is inhaled, treatment includes:

  • Humidified oxygen or air
  • Breathing tube into the lungs
  • Suctioning of mercury out of the lungs
  • Medication to remove mercury and heavy metals from the body

    • For mercury that is ingested, the treatment includes:

  • Fluids by IV (into a vein)
  • Medicines to treat symptoms
  • Activated charcoal, a medicine that soaks up many substances from the stomach
  • Medicines called chelators to remove mercury from the blood

    • If you or anyone you know has been exposed to mercury, consult your personal physician or a health care provider. You can also call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

    This has been your Medical Minute.


    More Info On the Web

    Mercury Poisoning – Medicine Net

    Mercury Poisoning – Medline Plus

    Mercury Toxicity – eMedicine

    DISCLAIMER

    Any medical information published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider. Sandrarose.com and its affiliates cannot be held liable for any damages incurred by following advice found on this blog.