Injury or Poisoning
lead poisoning
lead poi·son·ing [ led ]
Subclass of:
Toxic effect of heavy metal
Also called:
Plumbism
Definitions related to lead poisoning:
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Chronic toxicity to the body caused by the absorption of lead, which is characterized by fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, anemia, a dark line along the gums, and muscular paralysis or weakness of limbs.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Lead is a metal that occurs naturally in the earth's crust. Lead can be found in all parts of our environment. Much of it comes from human activities such as mining and manufacturing. Lead used to be in paint; older houses may still have lead paint. You could be exposed to lead by Eating food or drinking water that contains lead. Water pipes in older homes may contain lead.; Working in a job where lead is used; Using lead in a hobby, such as making stained glass or lead-glazed pottery; Using folk remedies such as herbs or foods that contain lead. Breathing air, drinking water, eating food, or swallowing or touching dirt that contains lead can cause many health problems. Lead can affect almost every organ and system in your body. In adults, lead can increase blood pressure and cause infertility, nerve disorders, and muscle and joint pain. It can also make you irritable and affect your ability to concentrate and remember. Lead is especially dangerous for children. A child who swallows large amounts of lead may develop anemia, severe stomachache, muscle weakness, and brain damage. Even at low levels, lead can affect a child's mental and physical growth. Agency for Toxic Substances Disease RegistryMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Poisoning due to absorption or ingestion of lead or one of its salts; symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, colic, constipation, insomnia, headache, dizziness, irritability, moderate hypertension, albuminuria, anemia, encephalopathy, and peripheral neuropathy leading to paralysis.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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Poisoning that results from chronic or acute ingestion, injection, inhalation, or skin absorption of LEAD or lead compounds.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Lead poisoning often causes minimal symptoms at first but can cause acute encephalopathy or irreversible organ damage, commonly resulting in cognitive deficits in children. Diagnosis is by whole blood lead level. Treatment involves stopping lead exposure and sometimes using chelation therapy with succimer or edetate calcium disodium,...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body, often over months or years. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems. Children younger than 6 years are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can severely affect mental and physical development. At very high levels, lead poisoning can be fatal.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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Lead toxicity is a multisystem disease produced by inhalation or ingestion of lead. It produces neurodevelopmental dysfunction in children and a range of cardiovascular, renal, neurologic, and hematologic dysfunctions in adults. Any detectable lead level is consistent with exposure to lead, but levels >9 micrograms/dL in a child or >24...Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
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Lead poisoning, deleterious effect of a gradual accumulation of lead in body tissues, as a result of repeated exposure to lead-containing substances. In humans the main sources of lead are usually lead-based paint and drinking water carried through lead pipes; lead-based paints are especially...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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