| Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary 3,920,617,557 visitors served. |
Dictionary/ thesaurus | Medical dictionary | Legal dictionary | Financial dictionary | Acronyms | Idioms | Encyclopedia | Wikipedia encyclopedia | ? |
poison |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia | 0.01 sec. |
|
|
poison /poi·son/ (poiz´'n) a substance that, on ingestion, inhalation, absorption, application, injection, or development within the body, in relatively small amounts, may cause structural damage or functional disturbance.poi´sonous
poison [poi′zən] Etymology: L, potio, drink any substance that impairs health or destroys life when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed by the body in relatively small amounts. Some toxicologists suggest that, depending on the dose, all substances are poisons. Many experts state that it is impossible to categorize any chemical as either safe or toxic and that the real concern is the risk or hazard associated with the use of any substance. Clinically all poisons are divided into those that respond to specific treatments or antidotes and those for which there is no specific treatment. Research continues to develop effective antitoxins for poisons, but there are relatively few effective antidotes. Maintaining respiration and circulation is the most important aspect of treatment. See also poisoning treatment. poisonous, adj. Poison Drug slang A regional street term for heroin, fentanyl Oncology A popular term for any cytotoxic drug used to manage cancer Toxicology A toxic substance that adversely affects the metabolism of a cell, tissue or entire organism, evoking biochemical and histologic changes, and possibly evoking irreversible cell damage and/or death Management Haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis Sedative-hypnotics (chloral hydrate, ethanol, ethylene glycol, methanol, barbiturates, meprobamate, analgesics), acetaminophen, aspirin, phenacetin, amphetamines, heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury) metallic salts (e.g., of calcium or lithium) halides, alkaloids (quinine, strychnine, anilines, carbon tetrachloride, ergotamine, INH, nitrofurantoin, phenytoin, theophylline) Nondialysis poisons Amitriptyline, anticholinergics, antidepressants, atropine, benzodiazepines, digitalis, hallucinogens, heroin, methaqualone, phenelzine, phenothiazines, propoxyphene poison [poi´zun] a substance that, on ingestion, inhalation, absorption, application, injection, or development within the body, in relatively small amounts, may cause structural or functional disturbance. Called also toxin and venom. adj., adj poisonous. Corrosives are poisons that destroy tissues directly. They include the mineral acids, such as nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid; the caustic alkalis, such as ammonia, sodium hydroxide (lye), sodium carbonate, and sodium hypochlorite; and carbolic acid (phenol). Irritants are poisons that inflame the mucous membranes by direct action. These include arsenic, copper sulfate, salts of lead, zinc, and phosphorus, and many others. neurotoxins or nerve toxins act on the nerves or affect some of the basic cell processes. This large group includes the narcotics, such as opium, heroin, and cocaine, and the barbiturates, anesthetics, and alcohols. hemotoxins or blood toxins act on the blood and deprive it of oxygen. They include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocyanic acid, and the gases used in chemical warfare. Some blood toxins destroy the blood cells or the platelets. See also poisoning and names of individual poisons. poison ivy, oak, and sumac common plants of the genus Rhus that cause allergic skin reactions. The poison contained in their leaves, roots, and berries is an oily substance called urushiol. It has no effect on some people; in others, momentary or even indirect contact may cause itching and even painful rashes, blisters, and swelling; see Rhusdermatitis. Poison Ivy. Poison ivy (Rhus radicans) grows in the form of climbing vines, shrubs that trail on the ground, and shrubbery that grows upright without any support. The vine clings to stone and brick houses and climbs trees and poles. It flourishes abundantly along fences, paths, and roadways, and is often partly hidden by other foliage. Recognition. The poison ivy plant is attractive and is often picked as a decoration by unsuspecting flower gatherers. Although poison ivy comes in many forms and displays seasonal changes, it has one constant characteristic: The leaves always grow in clusters of three, one at the end of the stalk, the other two opposite one another. Transmission. The plant is particularly potent in the spring and early summer when it is full of oily resinous sap. This forms an invisible film upon the human skin on contact. Direct contact is not always necessary. Some cases of poison ivy dermatitis are caused by the handling of clothing or garden implements that have been contaminated by the sap, sometimes months earlier; dogs and cats may carry it on their fur. Many people are so sensitive that smoke from a brush fire containing poison ivy brings on a rash. Symptoms. After exposure, the symptoms of poison ivy dermatitis may develop in a matter of hours, though sometimes they do not appear for several days. There is reddening on the hands, neck, face, legs, or whatever parts of the body have been exposed, with considerable itching. Small blisters form which later become larger and eventually exude a watery fluid. The skin then becomes crusty and dry. After a few weeks all symptoms spontaneously disappear. Treatment. An attack of poison ivy dermatitis can sometimes be avoided if the skin is washed immediately after contact. The skin should be lathered several times and rinsed each time in running water. This may remove all or at least part of the poison ivy film before it is able to penetrate the skin. If, despite precautions, dermatitis does develop, various treatments may relieve the itching. An old standard remedy is calamine lotion. If the inflammation becomes unusually severe or is accompanied by fever, a health care provider should be consulted. A cortisone preparation may be prescribed, which can be taken orally, injected, or applied locally as a cream. Poison Oak. Poison oak (Rhus diversiloba or R. toxicodendron), sometimes known as oakleaf ivy, is related to poison ivy and not to the oak tree; its eastern and western varieties resemble each other closely. It is usually a low-growing shrub and seldom a climbing vine. It has three leaves, like poison ivy, but they are lobed and bear a slight resemblance to small oak leaves. Its berries are white and small, like those of poison ivy. Poison oak causes the same symptoms as poison ivy. Prevention and treatment are the same as for poison ivy. Poison Sumac. Although poison sumac (Rhus vernix) goes by other names, such as swamp sumac, poison elder, poison ash, poison dogwood, and thunderwood, there is only one variety of it. Sometimes, however, poison sumac is confused with the several harmless kinds of sumac. Poison sumac is a coarse woody shrub or small tree, and it has white berries, distinguishing it from the harmless varieties of sumac, which have red berries. Symptoms and treatment are the same as for poison ivy. poison center (poison control center) a telephone service with toxicology experts providing emergency treatment advice for all kinds of poisonings, 24 hours a day. Poison control centers also provide poison prevention information to the community and education about recognition and treatment of poison exposures for health care providers. By gathering data about the outcomes of poison exposures, they also identify new or unexpected toxic hazards, allowing for product recalls, reformulations, or repackaging. Their staffs include physicians, nurses, and pharmacists with training in toxicology. There are more than 500 poison control centers in the United States; 65 of them are officially certified and are members of the American Association of Poison Control Centers. All of these provide 24-hour service and can be reached by calling 1-800-222-1222. See the Appendix of Poison Control Centers, which lists the certified ones.
poison, n a substance that, when ingested, inhaled, absorbed, injected into, or developed within the body, will cause damage to structures of the body and impair or destroy their function.
poison a substance that, on ingestion, inhalation, absorption, application, injection or development within the body, in relatively small amounts, may cause structural damage or functional disturbance. Corrosives are poisons that destroy tissues directly. They include the mineral acids, such as nitric acid, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid, and the caustic alkalis, such as ammonia, sodium hydroxide (lye), sodium carbonate and sodium hypochlorite; and carbolic acid (phenol). Irritants are poisons that inflame the mucous membranes by direct action. These include copper sulfate, salts of lead, cantharidin, oxalate raphides, and many plant and insect poisons. Nerve toxins act on the nerves or affect some of the basic cell processes. This large group includes the narcotics, such as opium, heroin and cocaine, and the barbiturates, anesthetics and alcohols. Blood toxins act on the blood and deprive it of oxygen. They include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocyanic acid and the gases used in chemical warfare. Some blood toxins destroy the blood cells or the platelets. See also poisoning and names of individual poisons. poison bean sesbania spp., thermopsismontana. berry poison gastrolobiumparvifolium. box poison gastrolobiumparviflorum. bullock poison gastrolobiumtrilobum. poison bush thesiumnamaquense. bushman's poison acokanthera spp. poison buttercup ranunculusscleratus. camel poison erythrophleumchlorostachys. candyup poison Champion Bay poison gastrolobiumoxyloboides. clover-leaf poison goodialotifolia. cluster poison gastrolobiumbennettsianum. poison Control Center public facility set up to provide information around the clock to provide information on toxicity of substances and current information of correct first aid methods and antidotes for poisoning emergencies. crinkle-leaf poison gastrolobiumvillosum. desert poison bush gastrolobiumgrandiflorum. poison elder toxicodendronvernix. Gilbernene poison gastrolobiumrotundifolium. granite poison gastrolobiumgraniticum. heart-leaf poison bush gastrolobiumbilobum or G. grandiflorum. poison hemlock Hill River poison gastrolobiumpolystachyum. hook-point poison gastrolobiumhamulosum. horned poison gastrolobiumpolystachyum. Hutt River poison gastrolobiumpropinquum. insect poison poison ivy toxicodendronradicans. kite-leaf poison gastrolobiumlaytonii. lamb poison isotropiscuneifolia. poison leaf dichapetalumcymosum. poison lobelia lobeliapratioides. mallet poison gastrolobiumdensifolium. marlock poison gastrolobiumparviflorum. poison morning glory ipomoeamuelleri. narrow-leaf poison gastrolobiumstenophyllum. net-leaf poison gastrolobiumracemosum. poison oak toxicodendrondiversilobum, T. quercifolium. poison onion dipcadiglaucum. pea-blossom poison isotropis spp. poison peach trematomentosa. Called also peach-leaf poison bush. poison pimelea pimeleapauciflora. poison pod albizia albiziaversicolor. prickly poison gastrolobiumspinosum. rigid-leaf poison gastrolobiumrigidum. river poison gastrolobiumforrestii. river poison tree excoecariadallachyana. rock poison gastrolobiumcallistachys. Roe's poison gastrolobiumspectabile. round-leaf poison gastrolobiumpycnostachyum. runner poison gastrolobiumovalifolium. poison sage isotropisatropurpurea. sandplain poison gastrolobiummicrocarpum. scale-leaf poison gastrolobiumappressum. poison sedge schoenusasperocarpus. slender poison gastrolobiumheterophyllum. slender lamb poison isotropisjuncea. spike poison gastrolobiumglaucum. Stirling Range poison gastrolobiumvelutinum. poison suckleya poison sumac toxicodendronvernix. thick-leaf poison gastrolobiumcrassifolium. poison vetch astragalus spp., oxytropis spp. wallflower poison gastrolobiumgrandiflorum. poison walnut wodjil poison gastrolobiumfloribundum. woolly poison gastrolobiumtomentosum. York Road poison
gastrolobiumcalycinum. poison Drug slang A regional street term for heroin; fentanyl Toxicology A toxic substance that adversely affects the metabolism of a cell, tissue or entire organism, evoking biochemical and histologic changes, and possibly evoke irreversible
cell damage and/or death Management–dialysis Sedative-hypnotics–chloral hydrate, ethanol, ethylene glycol, methanol, barbiturates, meprobamate, analgesics–acetaminophen, aspirin, phenacetin, amphetamines, heavy
metals–arsenic, lead, mercury, metallic salts–eg, of calcium or lithium, halides, alkaloids–quinine, strychnine, anilines, carbon tetrachloride, ergotamine, INH, nitrofurantoin, phenytoin, theophylline Nondialysis poisons
Amitriptyline, anticholinergics, antidepressants, atropine, benzodiazepines, digitalis, hallucinogens, heroin, methaqualone, phenelzine, phenothiazines, propoxyphene
Poison potency–MLD–minimum lethal dose
Agent MLD, mole/kg
Botulinum toxin A 3.3 x 10-17
Tetanus toxin 1.0 x 10-15
Diphtheria toxin 4.2 x 10-12
Agent Orange 3.1 x 10-9
Curare 7.2 x 10-7
Strychnine 1.5 x 10-6
Cyanide 2.0 x 10-4
Patient discussion about poison. Q. is poison ivy or sumac contagious A. if you scratch the rash and it has open sores,the pus from the sores can spread to other parts of the body and to other people as well, Q. What are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning? My kid started vomiting non-stop tonight, but has doesn't have a fever. We ate lunch at this new restaurant, could this be related? What are the symptoms of food poisoning? A. Symptoms of food poisoning typically begin several hours to several days after consumption of contaminated food, and depending on the agent involved (for instance-bacteria), can include one or more of the following: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache or fatigue. These are symptoms are classicaly "gastroenteritis-like", however when there's a background of eating out a few hours prior to it, it significantly suggests it is a case of food poisoning. Q. How Do You Treat Food Poisoning? I've been suffering from food poisoning for the last two days, is there a way to treat it? Is there specific food I should avoid? A. Food poisoning is caused by a variety of foodborne pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or parasites that contaminate food. Usually the body is able to permanently recover after a short period of acute discomfort and illness. During this period it is very important to keep proper hydration, meaning to drink lots of fluids, preferabely water, because a lot of water is wasted in stools and vomiting. It is also recommended to watch your diet during this short period of time, and avoid dairy products and fruit that might cause further abdominal discomfort. Rice and soup are very recommended. Antibiotics aren't used at the first two days because these are usually viral infections, however if it continues, it is recommended to visit the doctor. Read more or ask a question about poisonWant to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
|
| Medical Dictionary |
| Free Tools: |
For surfers:
Free toolbar & extensions |
Word of the Day |
Help
For webmasters: Free content | Linking | Lookup box | Double-click lookup |
|---|