Chemical Toxicity Treatment Clinic in Charleston, SC

Chemical toxicity refers to exposure to hazardous substances that can harm your health. Chemicals can be found in various everyday products, such as cleaning supplies, pesticides, industrial materials, and certain medications. When chemicals enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, they can disrupt normal bodily functions and lead to a range of health problems. The severity of chemical toxicity depends on factors such as the type of chemical, its concentration, and the duration of exposure.
 
Chemical toxicity can result from acute or chronic exposure. Acute toxicity refers to the immediate adverse effects that develop shortly after exposure to a toxic chemical. Chronic toxicity occurs due to long-term exposure to low levels of toxic substances, which leads to cumulative damage over time.
 
Chronic exposure can cause a range of health problems, including organ damage, developmental issues, and an increased risk of various diseases. It’s critical to minimize exposure to toxic chemicals and seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of toxicity.

Some of the common causes of chemical toxicity are:
 
• Household products – Everyday products like cleaning agents, paints, solvents, and pesticides often contain chemicals that can be toxic if used improperly or in excessive amounts.
• Environmental pollution – Exposure to pollutants in the air, water, and soil can contribute to chemical toxicity. Industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and hazardous waste disposal release harmful chemicals into the environment.
• Food contamination – Contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals can enter the food chain and pose a risk of chemical toxicity when consumed.
• Occupational hazards – Certain occupations, such as industrial workers, laboratory technicians, and agricultural workers, involve handling and being exposed to toxic substances. Prolonged exposure in work environments increases your risk of chemical toxicity.
• Certain drugs – Some medications, when taken incorrectly or in high doses, can have toxic effects on the body. Additionally, illicit drugs can also cause chemical toxicity.

Exposure to toxic chemicals can lead to a variety of symptoms, which depend on the specific chemical and the level and duration of exposure. Some of the most common symptoms associated with toxic chemical exposure include:
 
• Respiratory symptoms – Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation can occur due to the inhalation of toxic fumes or airborne chemicals.
• Skin reactions – Contact with toxic substances can cause rashes, itching, redness, and irritation.
• Digestive problems – Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or loss of appetite can signify toxicity, especially if the chemicals were ingested or absorbed through contaminated food or water.
• Neurological symptoms – Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, tremors, or seizures can occur following exposure to certain neurotoxic chemicals.
• Eye concerns – Irritation, redness, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light can result due to exposure to toxic chemicals.
• Systemic effects – Toxic chemical exposure can lead to systemic symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, fever, muscle aches, joint pain, or unexplained weight loss.

Checking your body for toxin levels requires a medical evaluation and specialized tests. Medical professionals can assess your exposure history and symptoms to determine the need for testing. Specific diagnostic tests often include blood and urine analysis to measure the presence and concentration of certain toxic substances.
 
These diagnostic procedures provide valuable information about your body’s toxin levels and allow the doctor to accurately identify any potential health risks associated with exposure. It’s essential to consult with a skilled healthcare provider who specializes in toxicology and environmental health to discuss your symptoms and concerns.

Chemical Toxicity Many disorders and diseases can be caused or exacerbated by an overload of stored chemical toxins. Addressing this aspect of the Total Body Stress Load can be truly life saving for people chemically injured through acute or chronic chemical exposures. Our toxic body burdens are critical to our health. This is why we often say, “We don’t just get sick, but are being made sick.” At the root of hypersensitivity to common airborne pollutants–such as pesticides, synthetic fragrances, and petrochemical fumes—are three common problems: an increased body burden of toxins, a depletion of key nutrients used in the body’s normal detoxification processes, and, at times, an inherently weak detoxification system.

Some of the chemicals we encounter in our daily lives are man-made, but there are many more chemicals which are not. They may be present in our food, in the air, and in water – exposing us regularly throughout each day. There are far more natural chemicals in our environment than man-made ones, but both can have poisonous effects. Man-made chemicals are in use all around us – from pesticides to cosmetics and baby bottles to computers – our lives, today, create a sense of need to rely on them.

Exposure to toxic chemicals in food, water, and air is linked to millions of deaths and billions of dollars in health care every year. The term toxicity is used to express how poisonous a chemical is. Scientists distinguish between two kinds of toxicity: acute and chronic.

• Acute toxicity – A poisonous effect produced by a single, short-term exposure to a toxic chemical, resulting in obvious health effects and even death of the organism.

• Chronic toxicity – A poisonous effect that is produced by a long period of exposure to a moderate, less-than-acute dose of some toxic chemical.

Chemicals can be toxic because they can harm us when they enter or contact the body. Exposure to a toxic substance, such as gasoline, can affect your health and can be toxic, hazardous, or both. Chemicals that can cause chemical poisoning include toxins and toxicants. Chemicals that are produced by living organisms are called toxins. There are a wide variety of toxins, including biotoxins, like snake venom or honey bee venom, and cyanotoxins, which are produced by blue-green algae. Toxicants are synthetic or natural substances that are not produced by a living organism, such as pesticides, chlorine, ammonia, and acetone.

Routes of Entry

There are three primary routes of entry into the body:

• Ingestion – Taking a material into the body by mouth (swallowing).
• Absorption – Contact with the eyes or skin.
• Inhalation – The lungs have very tiny blood vessels in constant contact with the air we breathe in. As a result, airborne contaminants can be easily absorbed through this tissue and a very common route of entry.

Chemical poisoning can be caused by exposure or ingestion. Occupation and local proximity to landfills or industrial complexes can also statistically increase the probability of exposure. Improper or excessive use of one or more medications can also cause chemical poisoning. Chemicals in food – Advertisements and labels on food packaging can be very misleading and often play on the consumer’s concerns about mysterious “nasty chemicals”. Campaigns of this sort overlook the fact that our food is made of chemicals, be they are naturally occurring or synthetic. EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a common preservative and is especially useful in oils and fats. Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) is used as a preservative in processed and smoked meats like bacon, salami and pastrami.

Signs of chemical poisoning can appear in seconds or hours, depending on the type of poison, exposure quantity, and individual genetic makeup and resistance. Symptoms may include asthma, blurred vision, breathing difficulties, choking, coughing, delirium, diarrhea, digestive problems, dizziness, dry mouth, faintness, fatigue, headache, itching, nausea, nervous system disorders, skin rashes, stomach pain, sweating, vomiting or nervous system dysfunction.

Glutathione is a natural component found in the body which is suppressed in compromised patients. When supplemented it aids the liver and other detoxifying organs in removing xenobiotics or offending agents which have found their way into the body.

• Allergy Testing – Neutralization to specific chemicals in our allergy testing lab.

• Biodetoxification – The biodetoxification process is designed to remove toxicants using three basic mechanisms:

• Mobilization of bound chemicals from storage sites through lipolysis (the breakdown of fatty tissues).
• Enhancement of the body’s natural systems of detoxification and biotransformation.
• Enhancement of excretion and inhibition of re-absorption.

These three mechanisms permit acceleration of the body’s system of detoxification, making it possible to decrease the time normally required to reduce a body burden of toxicants from months to weeks.

If you need treatment for chemical toxicity in Charleston, South Carolina, the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine is an excellent option. Our knowledgeable team of healthcare professionals specializes in addressing the health effects of toxin exposure. With our expertise and commitment to patient care, we strive to provide comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment solutions for those affected by chemical toxicity.
 
If you suspect a chemical exposure has affected your health, we encourage you to contact our clinic to schedule a visit. Let us provide you with the top-quality care and specialized treatment you need to navigate the challenges of chemical toxicity. We serve patients from Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, North Charleston SC, Ladson SC, Hanahan SC, James Island SC, John’s Island SC, Daniel Island SC, all of South Carolina, Nationally, and Internationally. Patients routinely fly into Charleston to be evaluated by COEM and to enjoy this beautiful city which is a Condé Nast and Travel and Leisure Top Domestic and International Tourist Destination.