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Fluoride Poisoning

Fluoride Poisonings

Fluoride poisoning is caused by excessive intake of fluorides.


Presentation
  • A case of fluoride poisong is presented which was manifested by severe hypocalcemia, ventricular arrhythmias, and respiratory failure. Treatment of this poisoning, including peritoneal dialysis, is discussed.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • Fluoride is present in many commonly used products: Toothpaste Vitamin supplements Nutritional supplements Detergents Insecticides Rodenticides No antidote for fluoride poisoning is available.[symptoma.com]
  • A fatality resulting from a severe facial burn, which produced acute systemic fluoride poisoning with profound hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia, is presented.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • A treatment plan for cases of acute fluoride poisoning after oral ingestion is presented.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • A simple method of calculating the amount of fluoride swallowed is presented in this paper. In addition the emergency treatment for fluoride overdoses is discussed.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Fatigue
  • We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition. Last updated: May 14, 2019[patientslikeme.com]
  • Calcifications of connective tissue on X-ray, especially with pain and reduced range of motion Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) – especially if it persists when you spend time in an unfluoridated city or switch to distilled water for drinking and cooking[slweb.org]
  • The symptoms of hypothyroidism include depression, dizziness, fatigue, weight gain, muscle and joint pain, hair loss, headache, migraine, shortness of breath, GI problems, menstrual problems, unbalanced blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, allergies[ener-chi.com]
  • Constant fatigue — Unusual and excessive sleepiness/fatigue. Vision disturbances — (High) sensitivity to bright light Occassional/frequent 'chills' — symptoms include body temperature disturbances and cold shivers.[icnr.com]
  • “Nausea (90%), vomiting (80%), abdominal pain (52%), diarrhea (23%), loss of appetite (13%), headache (11%), weakness (10%), itching (9%), numbness or tingling of an extremity (4%), shortness of breath (4%), fatigue (4%).”[fluoridealert.org]
Asymptomatic
  • It ranges from asymptomatic to more serious bed ridden condition. Dental fluorosis occurs due to defective formation of enamel. It is more severe in children with low calcium.[tandurust.com]
Cough
  • Fluoride is found in rodenticides, insecticides, fertilisers, industrial chemicals, anaesthetics and in overconcentraions in the water supply (due to miscalculation), and adverse effects occur due to its: • Inhalation (coughing, choking, chills, fever[medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
  • Your recognised location is United States (US) Chronic cough in a child This article is freely available only to users in the UK.[evidence.nhs.uk]
  • Adverse health effects of acute poisoning usually include lacrimation, nasal or throat irritation, cough, dyspnea, paresthesias, electrolyte abnormalities, and possibly seizures (1-3).[emergency.cdc.gov]
Chronic Cough
  • Your recognised location is United States (US) Chronic cough in a child This article is freely available only to users in the UK.[evidence.nhs.uk]
Nausea
  • Acute fluoride poisoning produces a clinical syndrome characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and paresthesias.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • Symptoms of acute fluoride poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and paresthesias.[symptoma.com]
  • Acute fluoride poisoning involves an immediate physiological reaction, with nausea, vomiting, hypersalivation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.[medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
  • Fluoride and hydrogen ions combine in the stomach to form hydrofluoric acid, which causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.[nejm.org]
  • Nausea with or without vomiting. Difficulty swallowing ( dysphagia ). Abdominal pain . Diarrhea. Muscle spasms. Muscle weakness. Headaches . Tremors. Arrhythmias. Joint stiffness. Shortness of breath ( dyspnea ).[healthhype.com]
Abdominal Pain
  • Acute fluoride poisoning produces a clinical syndrome characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and paresthesias.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • Symptoms of acute fluoride poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and paresthesias.[symptoma.com]
  • Acute fluoride poisoning involves an immediate physiological reaction, with nausea, vomiting, hypersalivation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.[medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
  • Fluoride and hydrogen ions combine in the stomach to form hydrofluoric acid, which causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.[nejm.org]
  • Abdominal pain . Diarrhea. Muscle spasms. Muscle weakness. Headaches . Tremors. Arrhythmias. Joint stiffness. Shortness of breath ( dyspnea ). Low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia), magnesium (hypomagnesemia) and glucose (hypoglycemia) in the blood.[healthhype.com]
Dysphagia
  • Difficulty swallowing ( dysphagia ). Abdominal pain . Diarrhea. Muscle spasms. Muscle weakness. Headaches . Tremors. Arrhythmias. Joint stiffness. Shortness of breath ( dyspnea ).[healthhype.com]
Choking
  • Fluoride is found in rodenticides, insecticides, fertilisers, industrial chemicals, anaesthetics and in overconcentraions in the water supply (due to miscalculation), and adverse effects occur due to its: • Inhalation (coughing, choking, chills, fever[medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
Food Intolerance
  • intolerances that seem to come and go Gastrointestinal problems – irritable bowel, nausea, diarrhea without apparent cause, heartburn and upper bowel pain especially after drinking a full glass of water Gum disease – irritated or bleeding gums despite[slweb.org]
Yellow-Brown Discoloration of the Teeth
  • Signs and Symptoms of Fluoride Poisoning White specks or streak to yellow-brown discoloration of the teeth. Pitting of the teeth. Damage of tooth enamel – teeth are more prone to cavities. Increased salivation (hypersalivation).[healthhype.com]
Scotoma
  • Diabetes insipidus (a kidney ailment) – excessive thirst, increased water consumption that does not relieve thirst, dry throat and irritated eyes, and frequent, dilute urine, especially at night, with normal blood sugar findings Eyes – moving black spots (scotoma[slweb.org]
Back Pain
  • Walbott discovered that low dose fluoride was causing allergic reactions in some of his patients who displayed a variety of symptoms such as headaches, back pain, gastric problems, muscle fatigue, etc.[chrisbeatcancer.com]
Osteopenia
  • Osteopenia thus resulted from osteonecrosis and osteoporosis. Subperiosteal exostoses were not observed in long bones. The degree of fluorosis in Cornwall Island cattle was severe...[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Facial Burn
  • A fatality resulting from a severe facial burn, which produced acute systemic fluoride poisoning with profound hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia, is presented.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Headache
  • Headaches . Tremors. Arrhythmias. Joint stiffness. Shortness of breath ( dyspnea ). Low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia), magnesium (hypomagnesemia) and glucose (hypoglycemia) in the blood. High levels of potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia).[healthhype.com]
  • The symptoms of hypothyroidism include depression, dizziness, fatigue, weight gain, muscle and joint pain, hair loss, headache, migraine, shortness of breath, GI problems, menstrual problems, unbalanced blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, allergies[ener-chi.com]
  • Cramps in muscles Headache Muscle weakness Tremor Stiffness of joints Palpitation Shortness of breath Rise of potassium level in body. Convulsion in case of acute poisoning. Increased risk of fractures.[tandurust.com]
  • She suffers from headaches, fuzzy vision, muscle tremor and weakness, joint and muscle pain, low body temperature, brain fog, gastric pain and diarrhea, insomnia, raging thirst, frequent urination with diluted urine, and dehydration that defies correction[hartkeisonline.com]
  • In the case of fluoride, early symptoms of acute fluoride poisoning include gastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and headaches.[fluoridealert.org]
Paresthesia
  • Symptoms of acute fluoride poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and paresthesias.[symptoma.com]
  • Acute fluoride poisoning produces a clinical syndrome characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and paresthesias.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • Adverse health effects of acute poisoning usually include lacrimation, nasal or throat irritation, cough, dyspnea, paresthesias, electrolyte abnormalities, and possibly seizures (1-3).[emergency.cdc.gov]
  • […] fluoride, which may be fatal–accidental/suicidal, given its affinity for calcium; it is present in some rodenticides, insecticides, fertilizers, industrial and anesthetics Clinical, inhaled Cough, choking, chills, fever Clinical, ingested N&V, salivation, paresthesias[medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
  • Whitford Article Figures/Media 24 References 65 Citing Articles Abstract Background Acute fluoride poisoning produces a clinical syndrome characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and paresthesias.[nejm.org]
Forgetful
  • And don’t forget to give them an accurate listing of all your belongings, because according to the OHP, when you succumb to the onslaught of benevolent chemicals designed to ease you into that oh so early grave on a fractured skeleton with your teeth[farmwars.info]

Treatment
  • Health department investigators and town water department officials inspected the fluoridation system at the town's main water treatment plant.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • Treatment of this poisoning, including peritoneal dialysis, is discussed. The kinetics of fluoride distribution as measured in this patient suggest a rapid binding of ingested fluoride to bone, followed by gradual release and excretion.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • A treatment plan for cases of acute fluoride poisoning after oral ingestion is presented.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • Medical Toxicology – Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning.[farmwars.info]
  • Dentists should be able to estimate the toxic potential of fluoride in case of accidental poisoning and advise appropriate treatment.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Prognosis
  • The prognosis of patients who suffered fluoride toxicity is dependent on the amount of fluoride that was ingested and how soon medical intervention was started.[overdoseinfo.com]
  • Additional washing of stomach with lime water IV fluid replacement calcium gluconate : blood calcium level sodium bicarbonate : urine flow rate & urinary pH Other monitoring and supportive therapies Generally, if death has not occurred in 1-2 days the prognosis[slideshare.net]
  • If the poisoned patient can be supported for 24 hours, the prognosis improves markedly, although delayed toxicity can occur.[link.springer.com]

Etiology
  • The case can be confirmed if laboratory testing was not performed because either a predominant amount of clinical and nonspecific laboratory evidence of a particular chemical is present or a 100% certainty of the etiology of the agent is known.[emergency.cdc.gov]

Epidemiology
  • Author Affiliations From the Division of Field Epidemiology, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta (B.D.G.); the Section of Epidemiology, Alaska Division of Public Health, Anchorage (M.B., J.P.M.); and the Department[nejm.org]
  • Probable : A clinically compatible case in which a high index of suspicion (credible threat or patient history regarding location and time) exists for a sulfuryl fluoride exposure, or an epidemiologic link exists between this case and a laboratory-confirmed[emergency.cdc.gov]
  • “In support of this concern are results from two epidemiology studies from China that show decreases in I.Q. in children who get more fluoride than the control groups of children in each study.[vaccinationinformationnetwork.com]
  • Nevertheless, epidemiological studies about fluoride toxicity have established that such oligoelement may be safely used at odontoiatric dosages.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • Even though there have been several epidemiological, pathogenetic, clinical and cytogenetic studies on fluoride toxicity, the mechanism of action of fluoride on cells have not been thoroughly investigated.[enzolifesciences.com]
Sex distribution
Age distribution

Pathophysiology
  • Pathophysiology and Management Review Article Poisoning Management First Online: 04 October 2012 63 Downloads 28 Citations Summary Acute intoxication with inorganic fluoride disrupts numerous physiological systems.[link.springer.com]

Prevention
  • The bitter, salty taste of the water deterred consumption of large amounts and prevented serious intoxication.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • Inspection of public water systems and monitoring of fluoride concentrations are needed to prevent outbreaks of fluoride poisoning.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • CONCLUSIONS: Correct installation and regular inspection and maintenance of fluoridation systems are needed to prevent such incidents.[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  • It is probably best known for playing an important role in dental health by preventing dental caries and assisting with tooth strength. Effects of Fluoride Fluoride in water and toothpaste works in two ways for maintaining strong and healthy teeth.[healthhype.com]
  • Although sodium fluoride is technically a toxic waste material, it’s claimed that it does have substantial benefits in the prevention of tooth decay, but in only controlled amounts.[wisdom-square.com]

Summary

Fluoride poisoning is caused by excessive intake of fluorides which may be acute or chronic. Symptoms of acute fluoride poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and paresthesias.

Fluoride is present in many commonly used products:

  • Toothpaste 
  • Vitamin supplements 
  • Nutritional supplements 
  • Detergents 
  • Insecticides 
  • Rodenticides

No antidote for fluoride poisoning is available. Management includes gastric aspiration and lavage and correction of electrolyte imbalance.

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Last updated: 2019-06-28 11:26