Consequences of toxic encephalopathy. Forms and treatment of alcoholic encephalopathy. Features of alcoholic encephalopathy

Shoshina Vera Nikolaevna

Therapist, education: Northern Medical University. Work experience 10 years.

Articles written

Toxic encephalopathy is a serious brain disease that occurs when the organ is damaged by toxic substances. The pathological process may not manifest itself in any way in the early stages and can be detected even when no therapeutic methods help restore nerve tissue.

Features of the pathology

This diagnosis is made if the blood vessels and cells of the brain are affected by toxic substances, resulting in a number of neurogenic disorders. Neurotoxins can enter the body from the external environment or due to liver dysfunction, accompanied by the release of ketone bodies.

Toxic substances impair the nutrition of brain cells and cause their death. Foci of dead tissue form in different areas. Diffuse damage is usually localized in the brainstem, cerebellum, or subcortical ganglia.

The pathology is quite common. Many experience a chronic course associated with regular poisoning with small portions of poison, which subsequently accumulate and destroy the brain.

Reasons for development

Toxic encephalopathy of the brain occurs if a person:

drinks alcoholic beverages in large doses;
regularly takes drugs;
suffers from substance abuse, that is, moderately inhales toxins;
works in production with hazardous components;
resides in an area with poor environmental conditions, where waste from hazardous enterprises accumulates or toxic substances are released into the atmosphere;
incorrectly uses household pesticides;
is located in the zone of man-made disasters.

The condition of brain cells and tissues can deteriorate under the influence of many substances. Most often, neurons are damaged by ethyl and methyl alcohol, petroleum products, carbon disulfides, carbon monoxide, agricultural poisons, heavy metals such as mercury and lead and their salts, manganese, some types of medications, waste products of viruses and bacteria, nitrogenous compounds in liver pathologies.

Separately, manganese poisoning is distinguished. This substance enters the body with some narcotic drugs, as well as when working at metallurgical enterprises, ore deposits, and during the use of welding machines. If the brain is damaged by manganese, then it suffers from signs of Parkinson's disease.

Pathology develops not only when toxins enter the body. Brain destruction occurs due to problems with metabolism, when metabolic products are not introduced. This is an endogenous form that develops in people with diabetes, pathologies of the thyroid gland, liver or kidneys.

Kinds

Brain intoxication can occur in acute and chronic forms. In the first case, damage occurs when the body is exposed to large doses of poisons once. The nervous system is destroyed very quickly, irreversible changes occur in the organ, so it is important to urgently seek medical help. The rehabilitation process will take a long time.

With the systematic influence of toxins, a chronic form of encephalopathy is isolated. It develops when the body can no longer resist regular poisoning.

Stages

Depending on the amount of toxins entering the blood, the development of the disease can occur in several stages:

Easy. Harmful substances were neutralized even before interacting with blood cells. In this case, the symptoms are mild.
Average. The diagnosis is made if the poison has been in the body for more than an hour and part of it has already been absorbed into the blood. The manifestations are moderate, but with the help of medications they can be completely eliminated.
Heavy. In this case, toxins entered the bloodstream and began to destroy the brain. The death of organ cells can only be stopped with the help of resuscitation measures. The patient's condition is serious.

It is important to carry out treatment at the first signs, preventing further development of the disease.

Symptoms

Depending on the substance that poisons the brain, the disease can manifest itself in different ways. But there are also general symptoms that indicate dysfunction of the nervous system. People in this condition suffer from:

mental excitement;
disturbances of mental reactions in the form of aggression, anxiety, fear, euphoria;
failures in coordination of movements;
epilepsy attacks or seizures;
disturbances in muscle tone, as in Parkinson's disease;
hypothalamic syndrome, manifested by vegetative-vascular, mental, thermoregulatory, neuroendocrine and neurotrophic disorders.

First, there is a stage of excitation, which is replaced by a sharp depression of the nervous system. In this case, the patient’s reflexes decrease, consciousness and mobility are impaired, drowsiness is observed and a coma develops.

Gradually, the damage may spread to the spinal cord. In this case, sensitivity is partially impaired and the functioning of the pelvic organs is disrupted.

Manifestations depend on the location of the lesions. Based on this, different types of encephalopathy are distinguished.

Alcoholic

Toxic-dismetabolic encephalopathy most often manifests itself in the form. This is the most common brain lesion, which is classified as an independent disease.

Typically, the pathology develops in a chronic form as a result of regular use of ethyl or methyl alcohol. The first manifestations of the disease are observed after three years of daily drinking of alcoholic beverages or periodic long-term binges.

As a result of drinking alcohol, neurons and nerve connections between them are destroyed. Such damage is irreversible.

Regular consumption of alcohol provokes the appearance of multiple small focal hemorrhages and ruptures of small vessels. This causes degradation of brain structures. The situation is worsened by the fact that most patients do not recognize their problem and do not stop ensuring the flow of alcohol into the body.

Alcohol substitutes pose the greatest danger. They lead to acute poisoning of the body. The pathological condition of alcoholic encephalopathy occurs in the form of Gaye-Wernicke syndrome, alcoholic pseudoparalysis, Korsakoff's psychosis, and acute simulated form.

In general, with such lesions the patient suffers from:

decreased performance, lethargy and fatigue;
disruptions in the functioning of the digestive system, accompanied by heartburn, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
dizziness and sleep disturbances;
peeling or greasiness, changes in skin color to sallow;
increased body temperature and increased sweating;
speech disorders, spatial orientation, memory loss;
loss of ability to move independently;
epilepsy attacks.

If a person suffering from alcoholism develops encephalopathy, his hands and lips tremble, coordination is impaired, hallucinations and excessive aggressiveness bother him.

Manganese

Under the influence of manganese, the condition of the subcortical centers of the brain worsens. As a result of intoxication:

the patient becomes lethargic and drowsy;
muscle tone decreases;
dull pain appears in the upper and lower extremities;
Intellectual abilities and emotional background decrease.

Severe cases are accompanied by widening of the eyes, a grimace of a smile, unnatural laughter or crying, and trembling of the tongue.

Mercury

If the body has been exposed to mercury poisoning, then this condition can be determined by the presence of:

painful sensations in the stomach, if the poison gets into the mouth, and in the chest;
blue border on the surface of the gums;
severe sweating and weakness;
frequent heart contractions;
insomnia.

There is also a symptom called mercury tremor, in which the limbs tremble. Poisoning is manifested by a contradictory mental state. If there is emotional upsurge and excitement, it is difficult to make even simple decisions.

Lead poisoning

Most often, intoxication occurs if a person inhales lead dust. The substance enters through the oral cavity in rare cases. Wherein:

there is a metallic taste in the mouth;
severe stomach pain;
gums become purple;
Nausea with vomiting is bothersome;
A large amount of saliva is released.

If the poisoning is severe, damage to the peripheral nervous system occurs.

Gasoline poisoning

Gasoline intoxication leads to organic brain damage. At the same time, a person’s excitability increases, and seizures appear. Symptoms also appear in the form of:

disruptions in psychomotor development;
kidney liver pathologies;
sleep disorders manifested by nightmares;
muscle weakness.

The same signs may appear if a person is poisoned by a stain remover.

Arsenic

Under the influence of this substance, damage to the brain and spinal cord occurs, due to which:

the patient has a severe headache;
skin peels and hair falls out;
weakness appears in the limbs;
nails become covered with white stripes.

Drug poisoning

Toxic encephalopathy is a disease that can be caused by certain drugs if taken in large doses. Brain tissue and cells can be damaged by overuse:

sleeping pills;
barbiturates;
narcotic painkillers;
glucocorticoids;
Indomethacin;
salicylates and bromides.

As a result of poisoning, the vomiting center in the brain is excited, so vomiting and headache begin, and changes in the psychological state in the form of irritability and lethargy are also observed.

Sometimes speech, visual and respiratory functions are impaired.

Endogenous intoxications

Toxic-metabolic encephalopathy develops with disorders within the body that arise from congenital and acquired pathologies. In this case, it is important to determine what kind of disease caused the disorder in order to choose an effective method to eliminate the problem.

Diagnostic methods

A pathological process in the brain is detected using:

blood and urine tests;
examination by a neurosurgeon;

After determining the type of toxin and the extent of damage, treatment is selected. Some difficulties may arise during the diagnostic process. This is due to the fact that if the patient suffers from alcoholism or drug addiction, he will not admit his problem, and it will take longer to determine the toxin.

Therapy

Treatment of toxic encephalopathy consists of a set of measures. If the patient's condition is severe, then procedures are first performed to stabilize his condition. The correctness of the diagnosis plays an important role in this process. The use of modern biochemical research will help to quickly and reliably determine the type of poison.

The entire process of fixing the problem consists of several stages:

First of all, toxic substances are removed from the body. Taking into account what kind of poison has entered the blood, saline solutions and glucose are poured into the vein, and antidotes are administered. Cleansing the body is also achieved with the help of forced diuresis, cleansing enemas, and gastric lavages. If there are indications for this, hemodialysis and plasmapheresis may be recommended. Thanks to these procedures, the effects of poison on the body are eliminated; in the future, it is important to avoid any contact with this substance.
Eliminates symptoms of poisoning. If the patient suffers from seizures or increased excitability, then tranquilizers and sedatives are used to alleviate his condition.
Improves blood flow through the vessels of the brain. For this, like Cavinton, Piracetam, Cerebrolysin, Cinnarizine. They can also select products based on medicinal plants and vitamin complexes.
Acceleration of the recovery process is achieved with the use of physiotherapeutic sessions, massages of the head and collar area, acupuncture, water treatments and mud baths.
If the functioning of the liver is impaired, means are selected to restore the functions of the organ and normalize metabolic processes in the body.

If a person is addicted to alcoholic beverages or drugs, a narcologist will talk with him. In some cases, patients should adhere to a proper diet.

There is often a need for psychotherapeutic treatment.

What does pathology lead to?

Toxic encephalopathy of the brain can have the most unpleasant consequences, including disability or death of the patient. As a result of poisoning of brain cells:

the patient's intellectual abilities decrease;
bothered by hallucinations and emotional disorders;
schizophrenia develops;
there is an acute disturbance of blood flow in the vessels of the brain;
a comatose state appears;
the patient dies.

Under the influence of toxic substances, the peripheral nervous system cannot perform its functions, trophic disorders develop, and the patient suffers from epileptic seizures.

Acute toxic encephalopathy, if help is not provided in time, ends in the death of the patient.

In advanced stages, it is impossible to restore brain function and eliminate all damage. Therefore, how successful the prescribed therapy will be depends on the timeliness of diagnosis and the stage at which treatment was started.

Toxic encephalopathy is considered one of the most dangerous diseases. The destructive effect of toxic substances on organ cells leads to their death and irreversible impairment of brain function. It is important to consult a doctor in time at the first manifestations of pathology. Typically, the development of the disease is indicated by the development of mental disorders, seizures, disturbances in excitability, increased or decreased sensitivity, and vegetative-vascular dystonia.

In advanced stages of the disease, it is impossible to restore damaged nerve tissue. Therefore, the consequences of encephalopathy are often very dire. Only a correct diagnosis and timely treatment will give the patient a chance for recovery.

Alcoholic toxic encephalopathy (ICD-10 code G31.2) is a serious type of brain damage of organic origin of a non-inflammatory nature, expressed in severe alcoholic psychosis. It is associated with disruption of brain cells. This condition is commonly understood as a combination of several diseases with a similar clinical picture and causes. Toxic brain damage manifests itself together with somatic and neurological symptoms. Almost all patients with this type of lesion have pathologies of internal organs caused by excessive alcohol consumption, intoxication of the body, and exhaustion. However, the main place in the picture of the disease is occupied by mental disorders in the form of degenerative personality changes.

Although this condition manifests itself at the third stage of alcoholism, the moment of its occurrence is quite arbitrary. It can take from 5-6 to 20 or more years from the onset of alcohol abuse before encephalopathy manifests itself. In the early stages, a forecast is impossible.

Gradually, irreversible processes occur - the nervous tissue is replaced by fluid, capillary ruptures and minor but frequent hemorrhages in the brain occur. As a consequence, the appearance and development of degenerative changes.

Typically, the onset of encephalopathy is preceded by confusion in the form of delirium, known as “delirium tremens.”

Causes of the disease

Pathology is formed as a consequence of chronic intoxication with alcohol, especially low-quality drinks and substitutes. These patients have a history of repeated hospitalization due to alcohol intoxication.

However, chronic alcoholism does not directly affect the development of the disease. Constant intake of doses of alcohol disrupts the correct course of the metabolic process and provokes an imbalance of minerals and vitamins, primarily group B (B1 and B6). Aldehydes—alcohol breakdown products—damage nerve cells. Those, in turn, are insufficiently supplied with oxygen and nutrients. And brain intoxication, disruption of the nervous system manifests itself in mental disorders.

Symptoms of toxic encephalopathy at different stages

Toxic encephalopathy in alcoholism is characterized by a prodromal period: patients are characterized by an addiction to salty or sweet foods, and sometimes a complete refusal to eat due to abdominal pain, nausea and other digestive disorders.

The onset of the disease is accompanied by various sleep disorders: inability to fall asleep and early awakenings, drowsiness during the day, nightmares.

As painful symptoms develop, motor excitations of various types appear.

In addition, the following manifestations are characteristic:

fatigue;
swelling of the upper body and face;
unhealthy, sallow skin color, greasy facial skin, in other areas - peeling, sagging, bedsores;
abnormal heart rhythm, pain in the heart with a feeling of tightness in the chest and shortness of breath;
weakness, decreased muscle tone, possible mild paresis; convulsions, trembling of the face: lips, tongue. Decreased physical activity in general;
significant changes in body temperature;
sweating;
pain in the limbs in the form of aches and numbness;
blurred vision, retinal hemorrhages;
speech disorders;
anxiety;
dizziness, disorientation, disturbances of consciousness;
in some cases - epileptic seizures.

With the rapid development of the disease without treatment, an acute stage occurs - Gaye-Wernicke syndrome. The presence of delirious hallucinations is characteristic; excitement is accompanied by incoherent chatter and meaningless cries. After the acute period, a state of increased risk occurs: neurological and somatic disorders are pronounced.

Clinical picture

Alcoholic toxic encephalopathy and its clinical picture depend entirely on the form and period of its course.

In acute periods, patients experience delirious experiences, in rare cases – schizophrenia-like states; at the beginning of the manifestation of psychosis, hallucinations are fragmentary, primitive, and static. Extinct unconditioned reflexes are disinhibited.

The mitigated form is not distinguished by pronounced symptoms of delirium; the patient’s hypochondriacal moods are more characteristic.

The “superacute” form of the disease is especially dangerous. Severe symptoms progress quickly, over several days. The onset of the disease passes instantly, after which the patient falls into a coma. The most common outcome of the disease in this case is death after 3-5 days.

Forms of chronic toxic encephalopathy

There is only one acute form of the disease - Gaye-Wernicke syndrome. And the chronic form has two types of condition: Korsakovsky (polyneuritic) psychosis and alcoholic pseudoparalysis.

The first option is most common in women; it is characterized by false memories - confabulation, inability to orient in space, memory disorders in the form of fixation amnesia (inability to remember current events) and retrograde amnesia (loss of memory for ancient events), neurological disorders.

The second option is diagnosed more often in mature males. The mental state is also characterized by memory disorders, mania and delusional disorders are noted, and neurological symptoms are strongly expressed.

Consequences of alcoholic encephalopathy

The prognosis for the outcome of the disease depends on several factors:

severity and extent of damage to nerve cells;
timeliness of treatment;
preventing the onset of the acute phase;
stopping alcohol consumption;
the type of alcohol consumed by the patient;
speed of the disease;
the extent of personal damage.

Without proper treatment, the patient’s condition will continue to deteriorate, the consequences are multiple and severe:

diseases of the cardiovascular system, especially arterial hypertension;
digestive system disorders;
disturbances of visual and oculomotor functions;
movement and coordination disorders;
epileptic seizures;
states of blackout in the form of absence seizures;
weakening of cognitive functions: lack of concentration, severe memory impairment;
brain tumors;
schizophrenia-like disorders of organic origin;
decreased intellectual function, dementia (dementia);
involuntary urination (enuresis) and bowel movements (encopresis);
decreased sensitivity or its complete loss in the arms and legs, paralysis and paresis;
sexual dysfunction;
diabetes insipidus as a consequence of damage to the hypothalamus.

Encephalopathy of toxic genesis is also expressed in a special group of consequences of irreversible changes in personality and its degradation. This is expressed not so much in reduced intelligence, but in a narrowing and primitivization of interests, dipsomania (craving for heavy drinking), attacks of angry melancholy and irritability, and aggressive attacks.

A favorable option is that medical care was provided to the patient on time. In this case, a stable, severe condition is achieved: the physiological functioning of the body is preserved, although not to its full extent. The patient is no longer considered a full-fledged member of society; he requires constant care and control over his behavior.

Other, more negative scenarios are also possible:

Coma: most often this is a consequence of the hyperacute course of the disease. The body is not able to filter out toxins and cope with them on its own. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the patient ends up in a state of clinical death.
Death: as a result of disease progression without proper treatment or occurs suddenly in the acute or hyperacute phase.

Principles of therapy

Alcohol toxic encephalopathy is treatable, and the results will be much better if you seek medical help as early as possible. Comforting prognoses are also made in the case of good health of the patient and a short period of alcohol abuse. Treatment of toxic encephalopathy in acute form should occur only in a hospital setting. It is quite complex and complex. The treatment strategy is similar to the treatment regimen for acute alcoholic delirium. Etiological, pathogenetic methods of influence and symptomatic therapy are combined.

first of all, they rid the body of intoxication: they “wash” the body with saline solution of alcohol and its decomposition products;
then B vitamins are prescribed. Thiamine (B1) normalizes metabolism, optimizes the production of gastric juice, and tidies up the functioning of the intestinal muscles. It also helps in relieving symptoms of disorders of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems. B9 and B12 help increase hemoglobin levels, participate in strengthening the immune system, and speed up metabolism;
it is important to use drugs to improve blood circulation in the brain and eliminate disturbances in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid;
stimulation of the central nervous system is carried out;
if necessary, antiepileptic drugs are prescribed;
in case of increased excitability of the patient, tranquilizers are additionally prescribed;
depending on the severity of symptoms and pain, treatment is supplemented with medications that relieve one or another disorder: painkillers, sleeping pills, drugs to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and others;
this therapy is supplemented by taking nootropic drugs;
a proper diet helps the body reach its optimal state;
Daily walks in the air are also recommended.

The success of therapy is also influenced by the elimination of the root cause of the development of alcoholism and, as a consequence, alcoholic encephalopathy. In this case, psychotherapeutic support in the form of individual consultations and group meetings becomes indispensable. An excellent method of influencing the psychological component of the disease would be hypnotherapy.

Conditioned reflex therapy has a good effect on consolidating the results of treatment. With its help, the patient develops a vomiting reaction to the smell and taste of alcohol.

Important! The success of any treatment will be negated if you continue to drink alcohol.

Due to reduced adequacy, patients themselves cannot seek medical help; usually relatives or other close people do this for them.

Thus, toxic encephalopathy of the brain is the final result of alcohol dependence. In addition to somatic disorders and neurological disorders, the patient loses mental health and socially degrades. This disease is incurable, the only sure way out is to treat alcohol addiction in the early stages.

Brain intoxication is diagnosed together with general poisoning of the body. This phenomenon can cause a lot of difficulties for the patient. In the absence of the necessary help, intoxication ends in death. What causes brain poisoning, how does the condition manifest, and how can you help a person?

How can you get poisoned?

Constant poisoning with toxic substances in adults and children leads to damage to brain tissue. In medicine, such intoxication is called toxic encephalopathy. As poisoning develops, various processes occur in the brain that affect the entire body.

Processes:

There is an accumulation of toxic substances in the body,
Harmful substances enter the bloodstream and reach the brain in the head,
Damage to the blood vessels and nerve cells of the organ is noted, the person is diagnosed with nervous system disorders,
Gradually, neurons die off due to poor nutrition, and areas of dead tissue appear in the brain.

Similar processes are often diagnosed in the cerebellum, brain stem, and subcortical nodes. Why does brain poisoning occur? There are internal and external causes that provoke the development of intoxication.

External reasons:

Release of toxic substances into the atmosphere,
Failure to comply with safety precautions when working with chemicals at home,
Unfavorable environmental conditions,
Working with chemicals in production,
Inhalation of toxic substances specifically for the purpose of achieving a state of euphoria,
Taking drugs
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Constant consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Alcoholic drinks, petroleum products, hydrogen sulfide, heavy metal salts, toxins released by viruses and bacteria, and medications are considered hazardous to human health.

Internal reasons:

Heart disease, leading to impaired access of oxygen to the brain,
Diabetes,
Diseases of the thyroid gland and endocrine system,
Pathological processes in the kidneys and liver.

Such reasons rarely provoke the development of brain intoxication, but are no less dangerous for humans.

Causes and symptoms of brain poisoning

Depending on how the pathological process develops in the brain, three stages are distinguished.

Stages:

Initial. The mildest, has a favorable prognosis, and with proper treatment goes away quite quickly.
Average. Toxic brain poisoning requires careful attention, treatment is carried out under the supervision of a doctor in compliance with all prescriptions.
Heavy. The stage often leads to disability and death.

Treatment must be carried out in any case and treated responsibly. Signs of intoxication vary depending on the toxic substance, but there are general symptoms.

Signs:

Mental excitement
Various deviations in the functionality of the nervous system,
Convulsive manifestations
Coordination problems
Muscle trembling,
The stage of excitation is gradually replaced by suppression of reflexes,
Development of drowsiness,
Loss of mobility
Loss of consciousness, falling into a coma.

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Without help, the patient's condition worsens and death is possible.

Brain poisoning after alcohol

Intoxication after drinking alcohol is most often diagnosed. In the International Classification of Diseases, alcohol intoxication of the brain is noted as an independent disease. Develops with constant consumption of ethyl alcohol. There are several forms of manifestation of alcohol intoxication.

Shapes:

Acute mitigated form,
Korsakov psychosis,
Pseudoparalysis,
Gaye-Wernicke syndrome.

All forms of alcohol poisoning of the brain are characterized by the presence of certain signs.

Video: how alcohol affects the brain (tin)

Symptoms:

Malfunction of the digestive system,
Sleep problems, insomnia,
Head spinning
Poor condition of the skin on the face, peeling,
Memory problems, speech impairment,
Increased sweating
Losing body weight for no reason,
Increased body temperature
Manifestations of epilepsy
Hallucinations, delirium,
Trembling limbs, problems with coordination.

Gaye-Wernicke syndrome is the most severe form of alcohol intoxication. Death develops two weeks after the first signs of brain disease appear.

How to restore the brain after alcohol intoxication? The intervention of medical professionals, giving up bad habits and following preventive measures will help.

Other types of brain poisoning

Brain poisoning is caused not only by alcohol, but also by other toxic substances. Each intoxication is characterized by the presence of special symptoms.

	Signs
	Desire to sleep Decreased muscle tone Painful sensations in the limbs, Problems with intellectual abilities, Emotional disturbances Unnatural behavior.
Mercury	The border on the gums is blue, Increased sweating Painful sensations in the abdomen, Frequent heartbeat Sleep disturbance, Trembling of limbs.
Nicotine	intestinal disorder, Vomiting reflex, Head spinning The appearance of seizures Hand trembling Reduced temperature of the extremities.
Lead	Increased flow of saliva, Purple gums The urge to vomit Abdominal pain Metallic taste in the mouth.
Medicines	Headaches Nausea, vomiting. Disorders of the nervous system and psyche, Respiratory disorder Problems with visual functions.

First aid and treatment of intoxication

What to do in case of brain intoxication? How to restore the brain? If signs of poisoning are detected, a team of medical workers is invited. An acute form of overdose requires first aid.

What to do:

Rinse the stomach with a weak saline or soda solution,
After the procedure, the patient is given sorbents,
The use of the drug Regidron will help to avoid dehydration during intoxication,
Before the doctors arrive, they carefully monitor the patient’s condition and talk with him.

Further treatment after first aid is carried out under the supervision of a specialist in a medical institution.

How to restore the brain? Therapy is carried out after a thorough diagnosis. Based on the test results, medications and necessary procedures are prescribed.

Therapy:

Administration of specific solutions intravenously to restore the functionality of systems and organs,
Using cleansing enemas
Cleansing the stomach using a probe,
Administration of antidotes,
Blood or plasma transfusion
Medicines are prescribed to normalize the patient’s condition in general and the brain in particular.

During the recovery process, the victim must take vitamin complexes. If necessary, it is permissible to carry out some physical procedures. Particular attention is paid to nutrition.

Consequences and prevention

The complications and consequences of intoxication can be quite serious. In the absence of timely assistance, poisoning can lead to heart attack, stroke, oncology, various stages of cerebral edema, and the development of pathological processes in the nervous system. Death is often diagnosed with such intoxications.

Prevention consists of careful use of medications, giving up bad habits, and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Brain intoxication poses a danger to the human body. When the first signs of poisoning appear, you need to quickly contact a medical facility to avoid negative consequences.

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We live in a world where various diseases await us at every step. What can cause their development sometimes remains a mystery. The disease encephalopathy is one of those diseases that can overtake any person, and at any time.

If a person begins to develop this disease, it means that dystrophic damage to the brain tissue occurs.

Types of encephalopathy

This disease has several varieties, which can be divided into two large groups:

Traumatic. Easy to get as a result of injury or fracture.
Toxic encephalopathy. It can occur after exposure to various toxins in the brain.
Radial. Develops as a result of exposure to radiation.
Toxic-infectious occurs as a result of damage to the brain by toxins during infectious diseases.
Metabolic encephalopathy. Associated with metabolic disorders in certain diseases, such as diabetes.
Vascular occurs in chronic circulatory disorders.

As can be seen from this list, getting yourself such a disease is not difficult.

Toxic encephalopathy

This disease is considered quite serious and severe. Its development can be provoked by any toxic substance that affects the human body. Considering that the current state of our ecology leaves much to be desired, and that the impact of certain factors in hazardous industries is also affecting us, we can draw an appropriate conclusion about the risk of contracting such a disease.

A distinctive feature of this type of encephalopathy is that for the development of the disease to begin, a small exposure to a harmful factor is sufficient, and we can assume that the mechanism has been started. Subsequently, even if you eliminate the influence of the toxin, this will not correct anything.

The complexity and danger also lies in the fact that at first, when the disease is just beginning to develop, a person may not experience any symptoms. Some fatigue and headache are in no way associated with developing encephalopathy.

Causes of toxic encephalopathy

The following substances can have a toxic effect on the brain:

How severe toxic encephalopathy will be depends on several factors:

A type of poisonous substance.
Dose of exposure.
Duration.
How did the toxin enter the body?
General condition of the body.

The poison that enters the body affects blood vessels and brain tissue, followed by their death in the most serious cases.

Types of encephalopathy

Depending on the time of exposure and dose of the toxic substance, there are:

Acute toxic encephalopathy. Occurs after a single exposure to a toxic substance in a large dose. Urgent help and rehabilitation are needed.
Chronic form. Develops with prolonged exposure to toxic substances. The patient needs a long course of treatment.

Depending on how much of the toxic substance and for how long the person was affected, the degrees of encephalopathy are distinguished:

Easy. There are minor manifestations and the symptoms are not pronounced.
Average. There are clear signs of poisoning by toxic substances.
Severe degree. It manifests itself as serious disturbances in the functioning of the body.

Symptoms of encephalopathy

At the initial stage of exposure to a toxic substance on the body, general manifestations characteristic of poisoning are observed. Most often this is:

Pulse fluctuations and blood pressure surges.
Sleep disturbance.
Increased sweating.
Nervous excitability.

If the influence of the toxic substance is not eliminated at this stage, then the signs of encephalopathy become more serious:

Severe headaches.
Problems in the endocrine system.
Changes in muscle tone.
Hallucinations.
Sleep disturbance.
Disappearance of reflexes.

At this time, irreversible changes begin in the brain. If urgent measures are not taken, this will end in failure.

It should be noted that the manifestations may differ slightly depending on the specifics of the toxic substance.

Diagnosis of toxic encephalopathy

It is quite difficult to diagnose encephalopathy without appropriate laboratory and clinical studies. The general complaints of the patient, which begin to appear in the first stages of the disease, are very similar to the symptoms of many diseases.

If you consult an experienced neurologist, he should definitely be wary of the following facts:

Involuntary deviation of the tongue.
Reflexes are impaired or absent altogether.
Asymmetry of facial innervation.

These symptoms may give the doctor every reason to suspect that the patient has abnormalities in the functioning of the brain caused by poisoning.

The difficulty of making a diagnosis may also lie in the fact that some categories of patients, for example, alcoholics, drug addicts, simply do not admit to the doctor that they are taking toxic substances.

In rare cases, it happens that an employer at an enterprise, in order to save money, does not comply with all safety rules, and workers, without knowing it, regularly receive a dose of a toxic substance.

At the slightest suspicion of encephalopathy, the doctor will send the patient for the following procedures:

After all examinations, the patient is prescribed appropriate treatment.

Treatment of toxic encephalopathy

If toxic encephalopathy is diagnosed, the patient is sent to the hospital to undergo full treatment.

At the first stage, it is imperative to completely detoxify the body. The following procedures are prescribed:

Cleansing enema.
Plasmapheresis.
Hemodialysis.

All medications are prescribed taking into account the toxic substance. After the body is cleansed of toxins, you can begin taking medications to improve blood circulation in the brain.

Typically, treatment of toxic encephalopathy comes down to the prescription of tranquilizers, sedatives, and anticonvulsants. Most often prescribed:

Cavinton product.
The drug "Piracetam".
Medicine "Nootropil".
The drug "Cerebrolysin".
The drug "Mezapam".
Medicine "Mydocalm".

Vitamins B, P and C may be prescribed as injections.

After the patient’s condition has stabilized, treatment is supplemented with physiotherapeutic procedures:

Encephalopathy requires such a serious approach. Treatment is usually long and complex.

Consequences of encephalopathy

The consequences this disease can lead to are unpredictable. Treatment can only provide temporary relief from the patient’s condition, and further recovery depends entirely on the severity of the damage to the brain structures.

If a patient has been exposed to toxic substances for a long time, then irreversible changes in the brain may well occur that cannot be completely corrected.

Even with short-term toxic exposure, certain consequences can be expected, these include:

Memory loss.
Permanent depression.
Sleep disturbance.
Paresis of facial muscles.
Speech disorders.

This is only a small part of the consequences that toxic encephalopathy can leave behind. Treatment after an illness must be carried out periodically throughout life in order to slow down degenerative processes in the brain and restore some lost functions.

Impact of encephalopathy on performance

If a patient is given such a diagnosis, this can significantly affect his future work activity. Toxic encephalopathy is a serious disease that leaves consequences for the rest of your life. Severe brain damage leads to death or complete disability.

With a mild degree of the disease, the patient may remain fully able to work, but further activities must be carefully adjusted.

There are some contraindications for employment:

Complete refusal to work in hazardous industries.
Any nervous strain is contraindicated.
Exposure to high temperatures.
Night shift work is not advisable.
You cannot work in noisy workshops.

Brain intoxication is a common phenomenon; it usually accompanies general poisoning of the body and can become a serious complication of the underlying disease. The condition is characterized by personality changes, neurological syndromes and disruption of vital functions: breathing, heartbeat. Without proper medical care it ends in death.

What happens to the brain during intoxication

During the active pathological process, a serious disease is formed - encephalopathy. It is a generalized concept that includes non-inflammatory damage to nervous tissue, accompanied by functional disorders. Each poison acts in its own way, one substance poisons a person more slowly, and another much faster. The main characteristic that all chemicals have in common is their free passage through the natural protective barrier of the brain.

Alcohol intoxication

The most sensitive area is the cerebellum - the place responsible for coordinating movements and moving the body in space. It is for this reason that a person who drinks alcohol feels some staggering.

In addition, depending on the amount drunk, it turns off one or more brain centers. If intoxication begins to resemble severe intoxication, cell necrosis develops, which is fraught with complications in the form of impaired consciousness, mental changes, and respiratory depression.

Additionally, chronic poisoning or alcoholism is highlighted. The clinical picture develops slowly, but ends with very serious negative consequences:

psychoses;
polyneuritis;
acute disturbance of cerebral blood supply - stroke;
memory loss;
delirium.

A person degrades, and if in the early stages the process depended on him as an individual, then over time the pathological cascade becomes irreversible.

It is generally accepted that smoking mostly affects the state of the cardiovascular system, tooth enamel, causes cancer of the lungs and other organs, but does not affect the brain. Such statements are erroneous, since nervous tissue is considered the most sensitive and reacts to all changes in the body first.

During the absorption of nicotine, a certain complex of biologically active substances is produced - neurotransmitters, which are responsible for excitation and transmission of impulses along the fibers. It is at this moment that the smoker thinks that a cigarette helps him concentrate and “sort out his thoughts.”

This effect does not last long, your health worsens, and complaints appear about:

headache;
dizziness;
drowsiness;
decreased attention;
irritability to the point of rage and anger.

The clinical picture is explained by cell hypoxia against the background of narrowing of the arteries, reducing the delivery of nutrients and oxygen.

Toxic poisoning

Intoxication is explained by inhaling vapors or consuming all kinds of chemicals, this also includes medications.

The pathogenesis is quite simple: heavy metals, ethers, carbon monoxide and other substances bind to blood proteins, enter the brain and disrupt metabolic processes, causing tissue necrosis.

In industrial workers, the disorder becomes chronic and belongs to the group of occupational diseases. If toxic encephalopathy is detected, the patient is prohibited from further engaging in similar activities. In the rest of the population, the pathology is acute and, without proper qualified assistance, often ends in death.

Clinical picture

The disease develops in stages. In medical practice, there are three degrees of development:

First. Includes nonspecific signs of a nervous system disorder that people regard as a consequence of overload: fatigue, fatigue, weakness in the limbs, headaches, hand tremors, excessive sweating of the skin.
Second. The clinical picture becomes more pronounced, the symptoms are complemented by mental lability and a decrease in the functional activity of the sense organs. Patients complain of poor short-term memory and periodic disturbances of consciousness.
Third. The condition requires emergency qualified assistance, as the victim’s heartbeat changes, breathing is suppressed, and the person falls into a coma.

In addition, mental disorders are possible in the form of hallucinations, delusions, depression, manic states, which loved ones cannot help but notice.

Stages of alcohol poisoning

It is divided into three degrees of development: mild, moderate and severe. The first is characterized by stimulation of the brain, but a slight decrease in mental activity. The condition does not pose any danger and ends in a few hours with a hangover.

The second degree of alcohol intoxication includes symptoms such as:

euphoria accompanied by excessive sociability;
incoherent speech;
fog;
impaired coordination of movements;
noise in ears;
increased drowsiness;
decreased visual acuity.

There is an increase in heart rate, arterial hypertension, and muscle weakness. The next morning, a person remembers what happened the day before in fragments or does not forget the previous evening at all.

In severe cases, the formation of an alcoholic coma is possible, that is, the victim does not respond to exogenous stimuli and does not answer questions. The skin acquires a bluish tint due to respiratory depression and cell hypoxia.

Signs of nicotine poisoning

It has a slightly different course and, unlike alcohol intoxication, does not end with a complete violation of a person’s consciousness. The symptoms are as follows:

dizziness;
nausea;
vomiting that does not bring relief;
decreased temperature of the extremities;
shallow breathing;
convulsive syndrome;
upset stool (diarrhea);
hand tremors

Chronic brain poisoning is characterized by confusion of speech, twilight consciousness, and neurosis-like states.

Intoxication with poisons, chemicals, drugs

Signs may vary depending on the route of penetration of the substance. Volatile compounds are considered the most dangerous, since they enter the respiratory tract and general bloodstream at high speed.

Manganese encephalopathy

An element of the periodic table is extremely necessary for the body to maintain water and electrolyte balance, transport substances and carry out biochemical processes, however, it is practically absent in the brain.

The disease is more common in drug addicts who use mixtures with manganese. The pathology develops slowly, leading to personality degradation against the background of necrosis of nervous tissue and deterioration of impulse transmission. The clinical picture includes:

decreased skeletal muscle activity;
change in gait;
muscle stiffness;
speech disorder.

It all ends with disability and then death of the patient. He is unable to take care of himself and move normally in space, which leads to bedsores and the addition of pathogenic microflora. Infectious-toxic encephalopathy is formed.

Mercury brain damage

It implies the appearance of psychoneurological disorders against the background of the constant flow of pesticides into the bloodstream, and then into the organs of the central nervous system. It occurs quite often, the signs of the disease are:

excessive emotional arousal;
change in coordination of movements;
anxiety;
aggressiveness;
depression;
convulsive syndrome;
hallucinations, delusions;
suppression of reflexes;
disturbance of consciousness up to coma.

People employed in industrial production and ignoring the rules of personal protection from metal exposure are at risk.

Encephalopathy due to lead poisoning

The disease is otherwise called Saturnism. Appears most often when inhaling dust or ingesting a chemical element through the mouth, for example, with food. Symptoms of intoxication pathology of the brain include:

pain localized in the back of the head;
weakness;
increased fatigue with previous physical and mental stress;
sleep disturbance;
decreased or lack of appetite;
emotional lability;
excessive sweating of the skin;
bradycardia;
arterial hypotension.

Lead poisoning can also cause nausea, vomiting, increased secretion of saliva, and a change in the shade of the mucous membrane of the mouth and gums to a purple color.

Encephalopathy due to gasoline intoxication

The pathology develops extremely slowly; in addition to changes in the structure of the brain, doctors additionally identify cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure and other diseases in the stage of decompensation. Manifestations of poisoning are as follows:

inhibited reaction to external stimuli;
convulsions;
changing sleep patterns;
muscle weakness.

There are no specific syndromes observed; they are revealed only during the collection of a complete life history, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics.

Encephalopathy due to arsenic intoxication

The chemical compound mainly accumulates in the white matter of the spinal cord. The disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

increased peeling of the epidermis;
hair loss with normal nutrition and vitamin intake;
the appearance of leukonychia - white stripes and spots on the nail plate.

Patients periodically report spontaneous body pains that cannot be associated with anything.

Drug-induced toxic encephalopathy

Sometimes it occurs in a child under three years of age, when parents do not put the home first aid kit out of reach. The cause of brain dysfunction can be a whole list of drugs, the active components of which penetrate the natural protective barrier and directly or indirectly affect the functional activity of the organ. Such medications include:

neuroleptics (Apozopiclone, Borizol);
salicylates (Aspenorm);
opioid analgesics (Morphine);
glucocorticoids (Prednisolone);
Bromides.

The clinical picture of poisoning, for example, with Amitriptylin, includes:

psychomotor agitation;
disruption of the digestive tract: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sour belching;
increased blood pressure;
change in heart rate;
cerebral edema;
confusion.

Among the patients, a larger percentage are people who are on long-term treatment and take the medications listed above regularly and in the wrong dose. The higher the concentration of the active substance, the more severe the encephalopathy.

First aid

The procedures carried out depend on the form of poisoning: acute or chronic. With slowly developing intoxication, the patient will independently understand that there is a problem with his body and consult a doctor. With rapidly progressing encephalopathy, urgent measures are required, including:

washing the stomach with a weak soda or saline solution by pressing on the root of the tongue with two fingers;
use of sorbent: Smecta, Polysorb, Polyphepan, Enterosgel;
the use of a special product – Regidron, which can maintain water and electrolyte balance against the background of intoxication;
constant conversation with the victim in order to control his consciousness and bring him to his senses.

All other manipulations are carried out by emergency doctors. Additionally, giving any medications is strictly prohibited.

Diagnostics

A neurologist conducts a medical history, illness, and general examination. This specialist is able to pay attention to some facial asymmetry, identify changes in the patient’s reflexes and reactions to external stimuli, even if minor. In case of emotional lability, delusions and hallucinations, psychiatrists are involved.

Among laboratory and instrumental research methods, the most important are:

general and biochemical blood test;
general urine analysis;
MRI and CT of the brain;
electroencephalography;
myography;
X-ray of the chest, abdominal cavity and heart for the purpose of differential diagnosis.

Typically, toxic encephalopathy is diagnosed based on the patient’s history and complaints; other methods are required only to confirm the doctor’s words. Very rarely, pathology is confused with injury, tumor and acute disruption of the blood supply to nervous tissue.

Medical treatment

Therapy is carried out both on an outpatient basis, that is, at home, and in a hospital. In case of acute brain intoxication, glucose and saline solutions are initially administered orally or intravenously to relieve the clinical picture. Sometimes additional gastric lavage and a cleansing enema are required.

In the presence of psychomotor agitation, doctors prescribe antipsychotics, namely sedatives, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers.

To improve cerebral blood supply, prevent stroke, and stabilize the functioning of nerve cells, medications such as Glycine, Piracetam, Cavinton, as well as herbal preparations - tinctures of Eleutherococcus, Rhodiola rosea, and ginseng are prescribed.

As a supplement, all patients with encephalopathy and other diseases of the central nervous system are recommended to use B vitamin complexes, for example, Milgamma.

During rehabilitation, a person undergoes a number of physiotherapeutic treatment methods, namely:

massage;
mud baths;
acupuncture;
electrophoresis.

All of them are aimed at improving metabolic processes in the body, relieving stress and restoring brain function.

Possible consequences

Complications arise in the event of inadequate treatment of the victim and delay in seeking medical help. Development is possible:

mental degradation;
persistent mental disorders;
stroke;
toxic coma;
oncology;
swelling of brain tissue;
lethal outcome.

It is worth remembering that in the final stages, encephalopathy is irreversible, it is completely impossible to cure it, so you should not delay therapy.

Prevention

use medications as directed and in the required dosage;
do not abuse alcohol, have a sense of proportion;
give up cigarettes, avoid drugs;
do not ignore the rules of personal protection and safety at work.

Follow a healthy lifestyle, spend time in the fresh air more often and eat only high-quality products that certainly do not contain heavy metals and toxic chemicals.

Expert opinion

Brain poisoning directly depends on the consciousness of the person himself. Only he can decide whether to drink an extra glass of vodka, smoke another cigarette, and whether to go to the doctor for a prescription and recommendations. As long as society maintains the principle of “maybe it will work out,” victims with changes in consciousness, respiratory depression and mental disorders will increasingly be admitted to the toxicology department.