Lithium poisoning

Lithium is a drug used in psychiatry for the treatment of certain diseases as a mood stabilizer. There are several types: acute poisoning, chronic poisoning and acute-on-chronic poisoning. There are factors that may increase the probability of poisoning, including decreased blood electrolytes such as sodium, dehydration or taking diuretics and impaired renal function. Symptoms may include diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, weakness, hand tremors, incoordination of arms and legs, muscle fasciculations, seizures, impaired speech, uncontrollable eye movements, coma and cardiac arrhythmias that can lead to the death of the patient. The diagnosis is based on performing a detailed medical history, complete physical examination, blood and urine tests and ECG. Treatment revolves around maintaining life support measures, proper hydration, gastric lavage is performed, and blood cleansing through hemodialysis, depending on the situation.