Wash what you eat

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Food poisoning can occur even from consuming ordinary vegetables and fruits, if the pesticides on them are not properly washed off, warns  Dr Neelam Mohan.

Most of the fruit and vegetables are sprayed with pesticides and if the vegetables are not properly washed, it can give rise to organophosphorus poisoning, or what is more commonly known as food poisoning.

Therefore it is advisable to go for organic foods, which are grown free of pesticides. Unfortunately though, these foods are very expensive and does not really gel well with the common man’s budget. Other common sources of organophosphorus compounds are certain products that are in easy reach of people. Sprays, gels and creams used to keep bugs away are such products. Even mild exposures such as ingestion, dermal exposure, or inhalation too can lead to food poisoning.

Signs and symptoms

*   Headache, fatigue, dizziness
*   Loss of appetite with nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea
*   Blurred vision associated with excessive tears
*   Contracted pupils of the eye
*   Excessive sweating and salivation
*   Slowed heartbeat (often fewer than 50 per minute)
*   Rippling of surface muscles just under the skin

Flu or Food Poisoning?

Moderate and severe organophosphate poisoning cases exhibit all the signs and symptoms found in mild poisonings, but these symptoms may be mistaken for those of flu, heat stroke or heat exhaustion, or stomach upset. If these symptoms are more severe they can lead to neurological disorders. Involuntary urination and bowel movement, muscle twitching, or seizures are the symptoms that usually alert the physician about the risk of organophosphate poisoning. An immediate antidote should be given to prevent the severity of the poisoning which might result in death.
Predominant symptoms and signs vary according to the age of the affected person.

Children, particularly young children, present with altered levels of consciousness rather than the classic DUMBELS signs that are most commonly observed in adults.

Medical care

Fortunately, good antidotes are available for victims of organophosphate poisoning at emergency treatment centers, hospitals, and many physicians' offices. As with all pesticide poisonings, time is extremely critical. If a pesticide is swallowed, obtain prompt medical treatment. If a dermal exposure has occurred, remove contaminated clothing, wash exposed skin, and seek immediate medical care.

In a severe case, the patient must be immediately shifted to a good ICU setup that is facilitated with good oxygenation. In some cases, there might be a need to incubate and ventilate the patient. But most importantly, atropine must be administered immediately following the diagnosis, for it acts as an antidote and prevent paralysis that might occur as yet another symptom of food poisoning.

Note
*   Most symptoms appear within 12-24 hours of exposure.
*   Exposure can occur by means of ingestion, dermal exposure, or inhalation.
*   Symptoms are more likely to be absent in children.
*   Most organophosphates have a characteristic pungent odor, somewhat like that of garlic.                                                                                 

(The writer is a liver transplant surgeon)