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A drug overdose occurs when a person consumes too much of a substance, whether it is prescribed, over-the-counter, legal, or illegal. Overdoes from drugs can be accidental or purposeful. You have overdosed if you have taken more than the recommended amount of a substance or enough to have a negative effect on your body's processes.
An overdose can result in life-threatening medical problems, including death. The severity of a drug overdose is determined by the drug, the amount consumed, and the person's physical and medical history.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DRUG OVERDOSE?
Drugs have far-reaching consequences for the entire body. In general, the effects of the drug in an overdose may be a heightened amount of the therapeutic effects seen with normal use. Side effects become more pronounced with overdose, and other symptoms may arise that would not occur with normal use. Large overdoses of some pharmaceuticals have minor effects, whereas smaller overdoses of other medications can have severe consequences, including death. Some drugs can be fatal in a single dose to a young child. Some overdoses can exacerbate a person's chronic illness. An asthma attack or chest pains, for example, could be provoked.
- Vital sign problems (temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure) are possible and can be fatal. The values of vital signs can be increased, diminished, or altogether absent.
- Sleepiness, confusion, and coma (inability to be aroused) are all common and can be deadly if the person breathes vomit into the lungs (aspirated).
- Skin can be humid and chilly, or hot and dry.
- Chest pain is conceivable and can be caused by injury to the heart or lungs. It is possible that you will have shortness of breath. Breathing might become quick, slow, deep, or shallow.
- It is possible to experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Vomiting blood or passing blood in bowel movements might be fatal.
- Depending on the medicine, specific organs can be harmed.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DRUG OVERDOSE?
A drug overdose is caused by either accidental overuse or intentional misuse. Accidental overdoses occur when a young kid or an adult with poor mental capacities swallows a medicine that has been left within their reach. An adult (particularly elderly or persons taking many prescriptions) may inadvertently consume the incorrect medication or administer the improper dose of a medication. Purposeful overdoses are done to achieve a specific effect, such as getting high or harming oneself.
- Young children may inadvertently consume pharmaceuticals due to their curiosity regarding substances they come across. Children under the age of five (particularly those aged six months to three years) have a habit of putting anything they come across in their mouths. Drug overdoses in this age group are most commonly caused by someone inadvertently leaving a medication within the child's grasp. When toddlers discover drugs, they frequently share them with other children. As a result, if you suspect an overdose in one child when other children are around, the medication may have been consumed by those other children as well.
- Adolescents and adults are more likely to self-harm by overdosing on one or more drugs. Attempting to injure oneself could be interpreted as a suicide attempt. People who intentionally overdose on pharmaceuticals frequently have underlying mental health issues. These conditions may or may not have previously been diagnosed.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR DRUG OVERDOSE?
A number of factors can enhance the likelihood of a drug overdose. These are some examples:
- Improper medication storage: Improperly stored pharmaceuticals can be easy targets for tiny children, who are curious and have a habit of putting objects in their mouth. It is very easy for youngsters to get into and overdose on medications that have not been properly packaged and stored away from them.
- Inability to understand or follow dosage recommendations: Even adults can overdose on medication if they do not follow the directions. Taking too much or taking your doses too soon might easily result in an overdose of a medicine that is normally safe for you.
- Misuse or addiction history: Intentionally misusing prescription drugs or taking illegal substances might put you at risk of a drug overdose, especially if it occurs frequently or if you get addicted. This danger rises if you use many medicines, mix them, or combine them with alcohol.
- History of mental disorders: Mental diseases can potentially be risk factors for a drug overdose. Overdoes might be triggered by depression and suicidal thoughts. This is especially true if the symptoms aren't addressed.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS OF DRUG OVERDOSE?
The treatment for a drug overdose differs based on the circumstances. Knowing how much of each drug was taken might be highly beneficial throughout treatment. This information, however, is not always available. The following are some general treatment options that healthcare providers may employ:
- clearing the airway or implanting a breathing tube when there is an issue with breathing
- giving activated charcoal, which absorbs the medicine in the digestive tract
- causing vomiting in order to get the drug out of the stomach
- pumping the stomach in order to remove the material
- delivering intravenous fluids to aid in the elimination of the drug from the body
For certain drug overdoses, the healthcare provider may be able to employ an antidote. The medicine naloxone, for example, can help reverse the effects of a heroin overdose.
HOW TO PREVENT DRUG OVERDOSE?
Drug overdoses can be avoided in a variety of ways. The finest solutions eliminate the possibility of accidental overdoes or the triggers for intentional overdoes in the first place.
If you have children in the house, keep any medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, out of their reach.
If you take prescription medications, make sure you only take them as prescribed by your doctor. Do not combine any medications without first consulting your doctor to ensure that it is safe. You should also avoid mixing alcohol with prescription medicines without first consulting your doctor.
If you take drugs, quitting is the greatest method to avoid a drug overdose. Understand that some drug-taking methods are hazardous than others. Inhaling or injecting drugs allows them to reach your brain faster and raises your chances of utilizing an amount that is harmful to you. Consult your doctor if you feel you are unable to quit. There are numerous programs available to assist you.
Contact your doctor straight away if you are experiencing depression or suicide thoughts. Your doctor can assist you in obtaining the necessary psychiatric care.