Nicotine Poisoning: Signs and Symptoms in Adults That Demand Urgent Attention

Nicotine poisoning, often associated with tobacco smoke or e-cigarette use, presents a range of severe symptoms that demand immediate medical attention. Understanding these symptoms is crucial for adults to ensure prompt intervention and minimize potential health consequences.

Common Nicotine Poisoning Symptoms in Adults

Gastrointestinal:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea

Symptom	Prevalence
Nausea	80-95%
Vomiting	60-80%

Cardiovascular:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain or tightness

Symptom	Prevalence
Increased heart rate	60-90%
Irregular heartbeat	30-50%

Neurological:
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Confusion and disorientation
- Seizures

Symptom	Prevalence
Dizziness and lightheadedness	40-60%
Confusion and disorientation	20-30%

Respiratory:
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Coughing

Symptom	Prevalence
Difficulty breathing	20-40%
Wheezing	10-20%

Other symptoms may include sweating, salivation, weakness, and tremors.

Benefits of Recognizing Nicotine Poisoning Symptoms

Early recognition of nicotine poisoning symptoms is essential for:

Rapid diagnosis and treatment: Prompt intervention can prevent serious complications, including heart problems and seizures.

Reducing severity: Early treatment can reduce the severity of symptoms and minimize the risk of long-term health effects.

Saving lives: In severe cases, nicotine poisoning can be fatal if not treated immediately.

How to Recognize Nicotine Poisoning Symptoms

If you suspect someone has ingested nicotine, look for these signs:

Unresponsive: The person is not responsive or is difficult to wake up.

Seizures: The person is having uncontrolled shaking movements.

Respiratory problems: The person is having difficulty breathing, wheezing, or coughing.

Unusual heart rate: The person's heart rate is very slow or fast, or they are experiencing chest pain.

Vomiting: The person is vomiting uncontrollably.

If any of these symptoms are present, call 911 immediately.

Nicotine Poisoning: Signs and Symptoms in Adults That Demand Urgent Attention