Patient's question:
Currently, the general situation is: I have been working in a laboratory of a lighting company for a while and often deal with liquid mercury due to work reasons. After hearing about the toxicity of mercury, I became very scared. Currently, there are no obvious symptoms, but recently I feel that I have lost my former work enthusiasm and often feel tired. I feel that my immunity has declined compared to before, and I am prone to catching colds. Therefore, I suspect it may be related to mercury. Medical history: I previously underwent a splenectomy, and the doctor said it was due to a huge spleen, but the specific cause was not found. I would like to know whether, in addition to improving indoor ventilation, there are any medications or dietary adjustments that can prevent chronic mercury poisoning. First follow-up question: What are the obvious symptoms of mercury poisoning?Doctor's answer:
Okay, here is the translation, following your instructions:I. Acute mercury poisoning is mainly caused by the oral ingestion of mercuric chloride and other mercury compounds. It can cause acute corrosive stomatitis and gastritis within minutes to tens of minutes after ingestion. Patients report burning pain in the mouth and throat, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and subsequently diarrhea. The vomit and feces often contain bloody mucus and sloughed-off necrotic tissue. Patients may also experience peripheral circulatory failure and gastrointestinal perforation. Acute renal failure can occur 3 to 4 days later (in severe cases, within 24 hours), and liver damage may also be present. Inhaling high concentrations of mercury vapor can cause fever, chemical tracheobronchitis and pneumonia, respiratory failure, and may also lead to acute renal failure. Skin contact with mercury and its compounds can cause contact dermatitis, which has an allergic nature. The rash consists of erythematous papules, which can coalesce into patches or form vesicles. Hyperpigmentation may remain after healing.
II. Chronic mercury poisoning is often caused by occupational inhalation of mercury vapor, although a few cases may also result from the use of mercury preparations. Psycho-neurological symptoms may initially include dizziness, headache, insomnia, and dreams. Subsequently, there may be emotional disturbances such as agitation or depression, anxiety, timidity, and manifestations of autonomic nervous system dysfunction, such as flushing, excessive sweating, and the skin scratch test sign. Muscle tremors first appear in the fingers, eyelids, and tongue, then affect the arms, legs, and head, and may even become generalized; they are more pronounced when noticed or when agitated. Oral symptoms primarily manifest as mucosal congestion, ulcers, gingival swelling and bleeding, loose and falling out teeth. In individuals with poor oral hygiene, blue-black particles of mercury sulfide may be seen arranged in rows on the gums, known as "mercury lines," marking one sign of mercury absorption. Regarding the kidneys, the initial stage is subclinical tubular dysfunction, characterized by low-molecular-weight proteinuria, among other signs. It can also lead to nephritis and nephrotic syndrome. Kidney damage may be reversible after cessation of mercury exposure. Chronic poisoning patients may also experience weight loss, decreased sexual function, menstrual disorders or abortion in women, as well as hyperthyroidism and peripheral neuropathy. The brownish light reflex in the anterior chamber of the eye lens is considered "mercurial cataract" caused by mercury deposition. This brownish light reflex can persist even after the disappearance of poisoning symptoms or after cessation of mercury exposure, serving as another marker for mercury absorption.