Lead is a heavy metal that is harmful to health. It is ingested through food and water or by inhalation. Lead poisoning is a disease caused by a high level of lead in the body. Its main origin is pollution. Indeed, the ambient air contains lead emanating from the petrol. This disease is also common in miners or welders who are exposed to lead for a long time. In the diet, lead is present in some game hunted because of the cartridges they have received. Lead pipes are also the cause of the presence of lead in tap water. Before 1948, some paints were made from lead. This situation represents risks for people living in buildings painted before this period. Children often suffer from poisoning by ingesting paints, which have a slightly sweet taste.
Symptoms of lead poisoning
Lead poisoning affects the nervous system. Symptoms are only really visible after prolonged and repetitive exposure to lead. A child with lead poisoning is irritable but also abnormally tired. He has difficulty concentrating in his activities and his sleep is disturbed. In general, intellectual capacities are reduced in children and adults with a risk of irreversible retardation in children. Adults also have abdominal pain such as colic or constipation. There are also cases of diarrhoea, vomiting, pallor, headache, convulsions, kidney dysfunction and paralysis of the limbs. Men risk infertility and in the most serious cases, lead poisoning turns into cancer.
Homeopathic treatment of lead poisoning
There are a few homeopathic remedies recommended to treat lead poisoning and its symptoms. Opium diluted to 5 CH is recommended in cases of colic manifested by severe abdominal pain, retraction of the abdomen with possibly vomiting or constipation. The dosage is three granules to be taken three times a day alternating with Plumbum diluted to 5 CH. This treatment can be intensified during the first days of the onset of symptoms with two other remedies to be taken in the morning and evening. A complementary dose of Opium 9 CH is recommended in the morning and a dose of Plumbum 9 CH, also as a supplement, in the evening. Finally, Aethusa Cynapium is used in particular in cases of drowsiness, convulsion, delirium and vomiting.
When to see the doctor?
If a child is found to beintellectually retarded, behavioural and sleep disorders should be the subject of a medical consultation. In adults, consultation is necessary in case of anaemia, convulsion, diarrhoea, constipation or violent colic.
