Lead poisoning

Poisoning individuals for thousands of years now. Lead causes neurotoxicity, renal failure and colicky abdominal pains

Can be inhaled, ingested (the Romans who had earthenware water pipes were apparently healthier) or through the skin (so don't lean against, lick or breathe the dust from old painted walls)

The neurotoxicity is through demyelination

Renal toxicity

• The acute poisoning gives acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis
• The chronic picture gives chronic interstitial nephritis. Fanconi syndrome is also seen (proximal tubule damage - so less everything is resorbed. Bicarbonate isn't and this causes renal tubular acidosis type 2)

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