How are Adults affected by Lead Poisoning?
In adults the symptoms can include headaches, tiredness, a blue line around the gums, anemia, abdominal pain and cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, hearing problems, insomnia, lack of concentration, memory loss, problems with the kidneys, lack of physical co-ordination, high blood pressure, foot drop, wrist drop, abnormal behavior, convulsions, coma and death. Lead poisoning can cause infertility, hearing difficulties, kidney disease, kidney failure, permanent brain damage and damage to the central nervous system. In women lead poisoning can cause stillbirth, miscarriage, premature birth and fetal development problems. Treatment of both adults and children involves removing the source of the lead. In low level lead poisoning this can be all that is needed for the patient to start to recover. In cases with a higher exposure to lead, chelating drugs are used to help the body remove it. Lead poisoning can cause permanent damage to the brain, vital organs, central nervous systems and can be fatal
