8 Questions
What is the primary mechanism of chelation therapy in removing heavy metals from the body?
By binding to the metal in the body's tissues and forming a chelate
What is the definition of a heavy metal?
An element that has more than five times the density of water
What is the main treatment option for heavy-metal poisoning?
Administering a chelating agent specific to the metal involved
What is a potential consequence of heavy-metal poisoning if left untreated?
Impairment of cognitive, motor and language skills
Which of the following is NOT a common symptom of heavy-metal poisoning?
High blood pressure
What is the role of the kidneys in the process of chelation therapy?
To filter and excrete the chelate in the urine
Why is hospital admission often required for chelation therapy?
Because the treatment may be painful and requires stabilization of vital functions
What is the purpose of a chelating agent in chelation therapy?
To bind to the metal in the body's tissues and form a chelate
Study Notes
Chelation Therapy
- Chelation therapy is based on the principle of binding toxic heavy metals to a chelating agent to reduce toxicity and remove them from the body.
Heavy-Metal Poisoning
- Heavy-metal poisoning is the accumulation of toxic metals in the body, mainly in soft tissue.
- It is defined as an element with a density more than five times that of water.
- Toxic heavy metals include lead, mercury, arsenic, thallium, and cadmium.
- Essential metals, such as zinc, copper, chromium, iron, and manganese, are required by the body in small amounts but are toxic in larger quantities.
- Toxic heavy metals compete with essential metals for their receptors, leading to irreversible organ damage.
- Symptoms of heavy-metal poisoning vary depending on the type and quantity of metal absorbed and may include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, headache, and metallic taste.
- Severe cases of heavy-metal poisoning can lead to impairment of cognitive, motor, and language skills.
Chelating Agents
- Dimercaprol (BAL, British anti-Lewisite), calcium disodium edetate, and penicillamine are common chelating agents used to treat heavy-metal poisoning.
- Chelating agents bind to the metal in the body's tissues, forming a chelate, which is then released from the tissue, travels in the bloodstream, and is excreted in the urine.
Treatment and Complications
- Chelation therapy requires hospital admission due to potential pain and the need to stabilize the patient's vital functions.
- Patients may also require treatment for complications associated with heavy-metal poisoning, including anemia, kidney failure, or shock reactions.
- Chelation therapy is effective for poisoning with lead, mercury, and arsenic, but difficult to treat with cadmium poisoning.
Learn about chelation therapy, its principle, and how it removes toxic heavy metals from the body. Also, understand heavy-metal poisoning, its definition, and the harm caused by metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic.
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