Lithium toxicity, also known as lithium overdose, is the condition of having too much lithium. Symptoms may include a tremor, increased reflexes, trouble walking, kidney problems, and an altered level of consciousness. Some symptoms may last for a year after levels return to normal. Complications may include serotonin syndrome.Lithium toxicity can occur due to excessive intake or decreased excretion. Excessive intake may be either a suicide attempt or accidental. Decreased excretion may occur as a result of dehydration such as from vomiting or diarrhea, a low sodium diet, or from kidney problems. The diagnosis is generally based on symptoms and supported by a lithium level of greater than 1.2 mEq/L.Gastric lavage and whole bowel irrigation may be useful if done early. Activated charcoal is not effective. For severe toxicity hemodialysis is recommended. The risk of death is generally low. Acute toxicity generally has better outcomes than chronic toxicity. In the United States about 5,000 cases are reported to poison control centers a year. Lithium toxicity was first described in 1898. Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of lithium toxicity can be mild, moderate, or severe.Mild symptoms include nausea, feeling tired, and tremor occur at a level of 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L. Moderate symptoms include confusion, an increased heart rate, and low muscle tone occur at a level of 2.5 to 3.5 mEq/L. Severe symptoms include coma, seizures, low blood pressure and increased body temperature which occur at a lithium concentration greater than 3.5 mEq/L.
The new species, which is genetically very similar to an Ehrlichia species found in Eastern Europe and Japan called E. muris, was identified at a Mayo Clinic Health System hospital in Eau Claire.Ehrlichia species are transported between cells through the host-cell filopodia during the initial stages of infection; whereas, in the final stages of infection, the pathogen ruptures the host cell membrane. Signs and symptoms
Specific symptoms include fever, chills, severe headaches, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, confusion, and a splotchy or pinpoint rash. More severe symptoms include brain or nervous system damage, respiratory failure, uncontrollable bleeding, organ failure, and death. Ehrlichiosis can also blunt the immune system by suppressing production of TNF-alpha, which may lead to opportunistic infections such as candidiasis.Most of the signs and symptoms of ehrlichiosis can likely be ascribed to the immune dysregulation that it causes. A "toxic shock-like" syndrome is seen in some severe cases of ehrlichiosis.