Arsenic poisoning occurs when the arsenic levels in the body increase. Some early poisoning symptoms are watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Long-term exposure to arsenic can result in darker skin, thickening of the skin, numbness, cancer, and heart disease.
Although arsenic is lethal to humans, the amount of organic (naturally occurring) arsenic that people get from drinking water and foods is minimal and expelled through urine and excrement. Therefore, long-term exposure to arsenic is often due to drinking water contaminated with arsenic. But the contamination could come from agriculture or mining. Healthcare providers diagnose the incidence of poisoning by testing the hair, blood, or urine.
Inorganic arsenic is the one people should be wary of since toxic levels in humans lead to arsenic poisoning. According to experts, arsenic poisoning is prevalent in West Bengal and Bangladesh due to contaminated groundwater. However, the problem was a natural occurrence that took place underground for many years. However, inorganic arsenic is often abundant in industrialized areas. Mexico, China, India, and the United States have higher levels of groundwater containing arsenic.
Learn the various symptoms of arsenic poisoning and when to see a doctor if unexplained medical conditions occur.
Nausea
Nausea stems from stomach discomfort, and one thing a person feels is wanting to vomit, which can lead to releasing the person’s stomach content through the mouth. However, this is not always the case.
One of the causes of nausea is gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Some people call this heartburn. The illness causes the contents of the stomach to move back up the esophagus while eating or after eating. The burning sensation from the regurgitation compels the person to feel nauseous. Other causes are viruses or infections. Viruses, bacteria, and even chemicals can enter a person’s system for the food they eat or the unsafe water they drink. For example, unsafe drinking water may contain arsenic, and long-term exposure can lead to poisoning.
Nausea is one of the first symptoms of arsenic poisoning. However, the issue of poisoning can lead to further complications, which may be more severe than the initial symptoms that show internally.
Food poisoning can also cause nausea, possibly due to bacteria, from the soil and water. Arsenic comes from mineral deposits on the ground that may be from mines, ore smelting, or industrial companies that use arsenic in their manufacturing processes.