Lithium Toxicity

Though there are various drugs and medications available to cure and necessarily deal with many disorders and syndromes, it is recommended that they should be taken in limited amounts and as prescribed, always. Since these are made of pharmaceutics and various chemicals, it is difficult for the body cells to get accustomed to high doses of the same. One such metal is lithium. Lithium doses are recommended to cure bipolar disorder which is a manic depression wherein individuals have to deal with mood swings and irritability episodes. Patients suffering from this particular disorder depend on lithium doses to give temporary relief. However, an overdose of the same can lead to toxicity and side effects. Let's get into the details of this through the paragraphs given below.

Lithium doses are mainly sold as salt compound tablets of lithium carbonate, lithium citrate, lithium orotate, lithium aspartate and lithium sulfate under the brand names Cibalith, Carblith, Duralith, Eskalith, Lithane, Lithobid, and Lithonate for bipolar disorder treatment. It mainly affects the central nervous system and thus the behavior and mood of an individual. Amounts of lithium more than prescribed is going to lead to toxicity and can be easily detected via a blood test. As per the research, toxicity levels more than 1.5 milliequivalents per liter are considered to be fatal.

Symptoms

Acute Symptoms (Accidental High Dosage of Lithium by Individuals)

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Thirst
• Frequent urination
• Stomach pains
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Coma
• Hand tremors
• Non coordination of arms and legs
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Uncontrollable eye movement
• Heart problems

Chronic Symptoms (Compulsive High Dosage of Lithium by Individuals)

• Increased reflexes
• Slurred speech
• Tremors
• Kidney failure
• Memory problems
• Movement disorders
• Psychosis
• Salt imbalance in the body

Treatment

There are medications available in market which would help you overcome the symptoms. But what needs to remembered is, you should not overlook them or ignore them which otherwise could be fatal. One of the options to opt for, are the medications which do not allow the body tissues to absorb lithium which is referred to as pumping the stomach. Another treatment option is dialysis, that is the hemodialysis and the peritoneal dialysis, wherein the extra levels would be removed via a dialysis tube. Patients are often suggested to have high sodium foods to help keep high sodium levels in the body or inject intravenous sodium. However, the best way to deal with lithium toxicity is through prevention. This could be done by the following methods:

• Check your lithium levels on a weekly basis if you are under depression medication.
• See to it that you take the prescribed amounts of lithium doses only.
• Make sure you have lots of fluid intake, intravenously and orally.
• See to it that you don't go on a low salt diet since it would lead to electrolyte imbalance.
• Seek help from your health care provider before going for any treatment measures.
• Ceasing the lithium dosage for a period of time would help, however, not longer, since it could lead to lithium withdrawal symptoms.

So this was some info lithium toxicity. This condition could be associated with bouts of depression, however, what matters is the early diagnosis followed by the appropriate treatment measures. Take care.