Toxic Elements In Blood - Be Aware

Chemicals - that is what the world is made up of. Be it the beginning of solar system, the birth of planets or the continuous reaction on the brightest star - Sun, laws of chemistry are followed and endured. And the backbone to this vastness of chemistry is the elements, which singly or in a combined form are running this world. To living species, elements are either essential as nutrients or are the ones that harm the body, interfere with the functioning and undermine health - the toxic ones.

Blood is the most efficient connective tissue in human body. From being the warrior, transporting oxygen, carrying nutrients, transporting hormones, regulating pH to maintaining water content of cells, it manages to serve its purpose - giving life to each and every cell. Being so efficient still does not give it the attention it deserves, so most of the times its health is neglected. Blame it on the environmental factors or industrial influence if you must, blood toxicity is on the rise and knowing it early, is probably the only way out.

Elements whose increased levels in the blood can cause fatal diseases and disorders include,

-Arsenic
Arsenic poisoning that occurs due to industrial exposure or heavy metals contamination in nutritional supplements can cause chronic toxicity that manifests as painful peripheral neuropathy (weakness and numbness in hands and feet), tachycardia (abnormal heart rate), hypotension (abnormal low blood pressure) and classical dermatitis (skin rashes, blisters, etc.). While in case of acute exposure, it causes gastrointestinal symptoms of vomiting and severe diarrhea.

- Lead
Lead poisoning caused due to human activities like mining, burning fossil fuels and manufacturing, is hard to detect, as people with high lead levels in blood may seem hearthy. Symptoms like high blood pressure, joint and muscle pain, headache, reduced sperm count, miscarriage in women are potential indicators, but do not clearly confirm lead toxicity. The major complication in case of lead is prolonged exposure to its low levels.

-Cadmium
Similar to arsenic and lead, toxicity of cadmium attacks kidney causing proteinuria (presence of protein in urine). Chronic exposure to this element comes from spray painting of organic-based paints. Tobacco smoke and auto repair workplaces are most common sources of cadmium exposure.

- Mercury
Mercury exposure needs to be treated as soon as possible because its exposure causes irreversible damage. Mercury poisoning can either be rapid or long-term exposure and based on the dosage of exposure, the severity of its effects ranges from mood swings, insomnia, irritability to kidney malfunction, and respiratory failure. Organic mercury toxicity (fish from contaminated waters) causes neurological malfunctions, muscle weakness. Meanwhile, inorganic poisoning (industrial pollution) often causes skin rashes, inflammation, bloody diarrhea, etc.

-Chromium
Acute exposure to chromium causes pulmonary dysfunction, electrolyte imbalance, seizures, etc., while chronic exposure results in dermatitis, liver and renal injury, increased risk for lung cancer, etc.

Barium
Inhaling barium and its high levels in the body cause gastric pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and hypokalemia (reduced blood potassium levels) which can cause hypotension and muscle weakness like symptoms.

Cobalt
Exposure to high levels of cobalt, for weeks or months, can cause nerve problems, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), thickening of blood, thyroid problems, deafness, etc. Cobalt is normally found in batteries, alloys, drill bets, dyes and pigments; thus industries manufacturing these things pose a threat to people working in the factories or staying in the vicinity.

Caesium
Caesium in nature is not radioactive and is used to treat cancer. High levels of caesium cause low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, nausea, diarrhea and loss of appetite.

Selenium
High levels of selenium can cause selenosis (excessive intake of selenium), with gastrointestinal (GI) distress, hair loss, fatigue, irritability, etc.

One thing that can be clearly derived from the above mentioned elemental description is keeping a tab on those signs. It is necessary to understand that signs and symptoms are our body's way of calling for attention. Some poisoning or toxicity of elements gives very less time to approach treatment, making the damage to the body irreversible and directing an individual towards a forcefully impaired life. What one can do is notice the signs as early as possible and along with detecting these elements in blood ( Toxic Elements Profile), changing certain lifestyle habits can help one come around these harmful molecules.

Are you in danger from toxic elements?
Being aware of your surroundings is the best way to detect any signs of metal poisoning. Working in factories that deal with heavy metals, staying in the vicinity of these factories, exceeding the intake of certain nutritional supplements that are contaminated are some of the alarming issues which increase the threat for toxicity.

Diagnosis of metal poisoning is challenging for healthcare providers and patients because of lack of knowledge about presence of these metals in the environment and how to take a preventive step towards this irreparable toxicity. We cannot deny that nothing can replace blood in our body, so why deny the fact that although we are busy earning and making a lifestyle, it is our responsibility to take care of this major component of the body!

Blood is indispensable. A step towards prevention is what is needed, to keep it toxic free!