1. Identify the Extent of the Poisoning
ron poisoning symptoms are grouped into four distinct stages. The first takes place within 6 hours of taking in the iron and includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure and drowsiness. Stage two takes place anywhere from 6 to 24 hours after stage one; the victim appears to feel better and signs of the iron poisoning may pass. It eventually gives way to stage three within 1 or 2 days after the poisoning. The blood pressure will drop, the victim will be gripped by seizures, he may bleed or see excessive blood in his urine or feces, and in the worst cases, he may go into a coma. Stage four takes place several weeks after the poisoning, and can be spotted by abdominal cramps and vomiting (which indicate a blockage of the stomach or intestines). Each stage entails different treatment, so it is important to identify which one the victim is at.
2. Perform Gastric Lavage
This procedure generally takes place in a hospital. A tube is inserted in the victim's nose and run down to her stomach. Water or saline solution is then pumped in in an effort to cleanse the iron out of the digestive system. It works best early on, before the iron is absorbed into the body. However, because iron is a metal, it may remain in the stomach after gastric lavage, requiring further steps.
3. Administer a Chelating Agent
Chelating agents work to detoxify poisonous metals like iron by converting them into less poisonous forms which can then be passed out of the body. With iron, the preferred chelating agent is typically deferoxamine, or DFO. It bonds to iron in the bloodstream and speeds up its passage through the body. In so doing, it significantly reduces the iron's ability to damage vital organs like the liver and kidneys. Steady, regular urinating after administering deferoxamine is a good sign. Deferoxamine should only be administered by a doctor and may include additional remedies as well.
4. Perform Dialysis
Dialysis is a last-resort effort to keep the patient stabilized after iron poisoning. It replaces the function of the kidneys by processing and removing waste from the body. In this case, the iron in the blood can be cleansed and removed and the blood returned to the body safely.
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