The eternal question is which specialist should you contact for a particular health problem. The choice of health workers in local health care institutions is not always encouraging—either there are not enough specialists, or it is impossible to make an appointment with them.
However, if an acute illness occurs, a decision must be made immediately. After all, the price of the issue is often human life. Therefore, today we will find out which doctor to contact in case of poisoning. And in what situations can you be treated at home?
There are different types of poisoning
Poisoning is understood as a sharp deterioration in health due to the use of potent toxic substances or poor quality food. The most common symptoms accompanying such a painful process include:
- nausea, vomiting;
- weakness, dizziness, general malaise;
- abdominal pain, diarrhea.
Such conditions develop when consuming foods contaminated with bacteria, poisoning with heavy metal compounds, and chemicals used in everyday life and households. In all these cases we are talking about poisoning. But few people know that such symptoms also develop with the exacerbation of certain diseases or with the appearance of new ones.
Cholecystopancreatitis is an inflammatory process in the gallbladder or pancreas.
- Acute gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa) or duodenal ulcer.
- With the development of rotavirus infection.
- Toxicoses that develop with damage to the liver, thyroid gland, and kidneys.
In this case, deterioration in health is not associated with poisoning, and symptoms develop due to errors in diet, after contact with a sick person, or during a seasonal exacerbation.
Which doctor should you contact if you are poisoned and how to determine the disease?
Who are the procedures indicated for?
Before choosing the most appropriate bowel examination method, it is important to understand when it is necessary. If various diseases or the presence of parasites are suspected, various diagnostic methods are used, moreover, some of them have their own contraindications. It is necessary to contact a specialist and undergo the necessary examinations if the following symptoms appear:
- stomach ache;
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- blood, pus, or mucus in the stool;
- haemorrhoids;
- bloating;
- a sharp decrease in weight or, conversely, weight gain;
- constant belching and heartburn;
- bad breath not related to dental health;
- the appearance of plaque on the tongue.
Often patients consult a doctor too late, when the discomfort can no longer be tolerated. Some people are afraid that the procedure will be painful, others think that it is difficult to get to a specialist. One way or another, a late visit to the doctor leads to the fact that the disease is already well developed and requires more serious and expensive treatment. In the case of cancerous tumors, any delay may be the last.
Which doctor treats poisoning?
Most often, the first doctor consulted in such situations is a general practitioner. He is either called to the house or contacted during the appointment. The main task of the therapist is to determine what disease this person has in order to promptly refer him for the necessary research or to a more specialized specialist.
A timely collected medical history and a thorough examination of the sick person help the therapist.
- High fever, nausea, repeated vomiting, abnormal bowel movements, weakness and the presence of spoiled food in the house that was eaten the day before most likely indicates an infection. Which doctor treats food poisoning? The person needs to be referred to an infectious disease specialist. Severe disease is an indication for emergency hospitalization in an infectious diseases hospital. The development of severe rotavirus infection also falls into this category of diseases. With such a process, a person is subject to hospitalization.
- Exacerbations of chronic diseases of the digestive system (pancreatitis, gastritis or peptic ulcer) are observed and treated by a therapist or gastroenterologist. To determine the presence of these particular diseases, a person must be sent for a biochemical blood test, FGDS, and ultrasound of the abdominal organs. Such studies will help to finally determine the diagnosis and establish the severity of the disease. In case of multiple ulcers of the stomach or small intestine, severe pain or the development of complications, the person is sent to the hospital for treatment.
- What other doctor treats poisoning? It all depends on the disease. If chemicals were accidentally consumed, a person inhaled poisonous gas, or toxic chemicals came into contact with the skin in large quantities, such people are immediately taken to the intensive care unit of the emergency hospital. Toxicologists and resuscitators deal with these types of poisonings. Only these specialists help to cope with severe complications that develop as a result of such situations. Which doctor should I contact if I have mercury poisoning or, for example, after a dog bite? This is also the competence of resuscitators.
But in any situation, in many cases, the first doctor who examines the victims is a therapist. In case of mild infectious diseases and the person refuses hospitalization, this specialist will observe the patient: prescribe treatment,, if necessary, issue a sick leave certificate and refer him for research.
Constipation in an adult, where to go?
If constipation is an infrequent occurrence and is caused by excessive consumption of fast food, lack of healthy and nutritious foods in the diet, as well as a sedentary lifestyle, then the problem can be solved by changing the diet and introducing gymnastics or moderate physical activity into the daily routine.
You should consult a doctor as soon as possible to establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment if you have symptoms:
- nausea, vomiting;
- dizziness, loss of strength;
- the appearance of blood from the rectum or in the stool;
- regular constipation followed by diarrhea;
- pain in the abdomen and under the ribs.
These symptoms may indicate serious changes in the body and the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Also, blood in the stool can signal the presence of a tumor in the intestines.
If two or more of these symptoms are present simultaneously with constipation, you should not delay visiting a gastroenterologist.
If constipation begins to recur periodically, and laxatives are already in your home medicine cabinet, you should schedule a visit to the doctor. Timely diagnosis will help identify the cause of the disease. The doctor will prescribe adequate treatment that will alleviate the condition and avoid complications.
You can seek help from a proctologist, therapist or gastroenterologist who diagnoses and treats diseases of the digestive system. Do not put off visiting a doctor if constipation is accompanied by abdominal pain, intoxication and other symptoms. This condition may require urgent medical attention.
For frequently bothersome constipation, there is no need to self-medicate. It is necessary to seek medical help in the following cases:
- if there is no bowel movement for more than three days;
- taking a laxative did not bring the desired result (intestinal obstruction);
- the presence of streaks of blood or mucus in the stool;
- constipation is accompanied by vomiting and general malaise;
- severe abdominal pain;
- increase in body temperature.
If you don’t know which doctor to contact for constipation, you can first consult a therapist. After listening to complaints and conducting a series of tests, the doctor refers the patient to the right specialist.
In what cases should you immediately call an ambulance?
Which doctor should I consult with toxicosis? This is the result of the influence not only of external factors on human health (infections), but also of internal disturbances in the functioning of important organs - thyrotoxicosis, toxicosis of pregnancy, adrenal failure, liver damage. In this case, the person is hospitalized. The department to which a sick person is sent depends on the disease. Most often, he is taken to the intensive care unit by ambulance; during the period when the active process subsides, he is sent to specialized departments - gynecology, endocrinology, nephrology.
In case of any acute severe infectious processes or poisoning with potent substances, the person is sent by ambulance to the hospital. There is no need to waste time contacting a clinic physician.
So, if you are poisoned, which doctor should you go to? An infectious disease specialist deals with bacterial and viral poisoning. Resuscitation specialists work with poisoning by chemical compounds in the hospital. A mild course of any process can be managed by a local therapist at home. How to choose the right doctor? In an emergency situation there is no time for thinking and long discussions. The first thing an injured person should do is call an ambulance or contact the doctor on duty at the nearest clinic. Everything else is the work of specialists.
Poisoning is a pathological condition that occurs when the human body is exposed to poisons and toxins. In case of intoxication, a doctor is needed in any case. He will collect an anamnesis of the disease, conduct an examination, decide on treatment at home or send you for hospitalization in a hospital. If the remains of potentially contaminated food, liquids, and plant fragments are preserved, he will collect them for laboratory analysis.
How can this or that specialist help?
The medical care system today offers a comprehensive solution to this problem. When treating arthritis, you can go in two ways: distribute the responsibilities of specialists according to the priority of treatment or make a distribution based on the characteristics of the disease. Particularly effective is the approach in which therapy is carried out by doctors of different specialized specialties at different stages of treatment. Let's look at how this or that doctor can help you.
A doctor in this specialty treats general somatic diseases. It is the first port of call for arthritis. In small settlements, this is often the only authority. And in big cities, quite often a person cannot independently determine which doctor he needs to go to, especially if the disease has just begun to develop. The therapist will do the following:
- will conduct a thorough examination of the joints, the necessary manipulations to determine pain and rigidity of the spine, knees, elbows, fingers;
- will carry out diagnostic procedures (general and specific tests, radiography, examination of synovial fluid, etc.).
- will interview you about identifying the heredity of the disease;
- if there is a suspicion of rheumatoid arthritis, check for redness and swelling;
- If difficulties or additional questions arise during diagnosis, he will write a referral for consultation with a rheumatologist, orthopedist or surgeon.
If you are concerned about, for example, osteoarthritis, you will not need additional consultations. The doctor will prescribe you painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, and recommend physical exercises to strengthen your joints. Physical therapy may also be prescribed.
The danger of treating poisoning without consulting a doctor
Poisons and toxins enter the body in different ways. In case of poisoning, a doctor’s examination and consultation are necessary for every suspicion of intoxication. Self-medicating at home is unacceptable and dangerous. Sometimes this condition can be fatal, with damage to the central nervous system and respiratory depression. The reason is not always due to substances coming from outside. In some cases, poisons are formed in the body during its life. By origin they are natural and artificial.
Natural poisons enter the body due to activities:
- Bacteria, viruses, infections.
- Mold.
- Plants.
- Animals.
Symptoms of poisoning that threaten complications
The oral route is the most common among food and household poisonings. Poisons begin to be absorbed in the mouth or gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms:
Intoxication is noted: fever, headache. Possible complications include collapse.
Toxic substances in aerosol form enter the body through the upper respiratory tract. They are absorbed by the bronchopulmonary system and enter the blood.
Complaints:
- Dyspnea.
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- Loss of consciousness.
Mercury and thallium salts, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and nicotine enter the body through the skin. They cause chemical burns and dermatitis. Complicated by necrosis with the addition of a secondary bacterial infection.
Chronic pancreatitis: symptoms and treatment methods
Few people think about the role of the pancreas in the body. This organ quickly becomes inflamed due to poor nutrition and regular abuse of alcoholic beverages. Inflammation of the pancreas is called pancreatitis. This is a serious health problem. If the patient does not completely change his diet or give up alcoholic beverages, a complication in the form of pancreatic necrosis is possible. This diagnosis is incurable and sooner or later leads to death.
If the patient suffers from frequent nausea, fever, diarrhea, weakness, headache, the diagnosis is most likely pancreatitis. An important point is that in 95% of cases this disease is accompanied by paroxysmal pain in the solar plexus or slightly to the left. This is where the pancreas is located. The main method of therapy is to adhere to a therapeutic diet and take enzymes in tablet form (Festal, Pancreatin).
Which doctors treat poisoning?
Which doctor to contact in case of poisoning depends on the factor that caused the condition and on the patient’s well-being. If you have a food problem, the local doctor who comes to the call can give advice on detoxification and prescribe medications. In other cases, hospitalization is required. The therapeutic tactics of any physician is to prevent life-threatening complications. At the same time, the patient’s condition is stabilized with the help of infusion therapy. Then urgent measures are taken to remove the poison from the body.
Medical procedures include:
- gastric lavage;
- forcing diuresis;
- prescribing antibiotics, probiotics, hormonal drugs.
Reanimatologist
A resuscitator treats patients with impaired vital functions, the development of coma, and the need for mechanical ventilation. In the area of intoxication, these include severe chemical burns, poisoning with chemicals, and injury from animal poison.
Infectious disease specialist
This specialist is contacted for nutritional poisoning and its symptoms: vomiting, weakness, loose stools. Therapy consists of prescribing sorbents, antispasmodics for abdominal cramps, and replenishing fluid lost through vomiting and diarrhea through rehydration. A gentle diet with a limitation of rough foods, fried, fatty, and smoked foods may be recommended.
Toxicologist
A patient is hospitalized in the toxicology department with poisoning from industrial, military, chemical poisons, biological toxins contained in mushrooms and plants. In some cases, a toxicologist provides therapy for poisoning with alcohol-containing liquids and medications.
Expert in narcology
A consultation with a narcologist is indicated if a person has been poisoned by nicotine, alcohol, spice, smoking salts, or herbal drugs. Most often, this specialist is involved after stabilization of the patient’s condition and detoxification. Drug treatment involves medication and extensive psychotherapeutic and psychological work.
Gastroenterologist
After exposure to toxins, the debut or exacerbation of existing pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, which require consultation with a gastroenterologist, is possible. To ensure the objectivity of the clinical picture, FGDS, ultrasound of the digestive organs, and biochemical blood tests are performed.
Oncological diseases
There are various oncological diseases of the digestive tract. The most common pathology diagnosed is liver cancer. Neoplasms form after metastases spread to the gland. The disease develops after sexual contact with infected partners due to hepatitis, regular, excessive alcohol consumption or cirrhosis.
Oncologist specializes in oncological diseases of the digestive organs
In order to stop the development of cancer, the oncologist treating the liver performs the following procedures:
- affects the organ using radio frequency waves;
- performs a surgical operation;
- affects damaged areas with chemicals.
It is important to identify the disease as quickly as possible and carry out treatment so that the prognosis for the patient is favorable.
The oncologist will examine the hemangioma, identify its origin and determine the tactics of action.
When to call an ambulance
You should immediately call an ambulance, regardless of the cause of the poisoning, if you experience stupor, incoordination, uncontrollable vomiting, bloody diarrhea, or high fever. If there is a symptom of diplopia (double vision) coupled with a speech disorder, loss of the act of swallowing, especially in connection with the consumption of canned meat, mushrooms, or salted fish the day before, it is necessary to ensure that the victim is delivered to a medical facility as soon as possible, as this indicates the development of botulism. Serious reasons for seeking emergency help are a sharp drop in blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg, acute abdomen, convulsions, hemorrhages and other rashes on the skin and mucous membranes. Calling a medical team is mandatory in case of poisoning for any reason of a pregnant woman, an elderly person over sixty-five years old and a child under three years of age. Intoxication is dangerous for children under six months of age.
You should not ignore any symptoms of poisoning, relying on them to stop on their own. Some complications caused by intoxication can lead to disability and significantly limit a person’s ability to work. A number of poisons have a latent period of action and have cumulative properties. The patient’s life depends on the timely manipulations of doctors.
