Introduction
When a person takes an overdose of a cardiac drug, specifically Digitalis, commonly known as Digoxin or Digitoxin, it causes toxicity in the body. Digitalis toxicity is also called DT. This drug is a medication for various cardiac diseases. There are some classical signs of Digitalis toxicity, including nausea, vomiting, and irregular heartbeat. Intake of digitalis should always be under prescribed dosage only after consultation with a professional such as a cardiologist or cardiac surgeon. Digitalis is a known medication for treating certain cardiovascular conditions such as congestive heart failure (CHF) or CHF arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation and tachycardia.
The main effect of digitalis in the cardiovascular system is increased blood flow by stimulating the heart muscles in order to adequately pump blood to the entire body. Digitalis additionally reduces the edema or swelling in the hands and legs, mainly the feet and ankles. The composition of Digitalis includes glycosides which are known for shooting up the calcium levels within the cardiac cells and tissues. Digitalis is also composed to work on irregular heartbeats by leveling down the signals to the heart.
What Are the Symptoms of Digitalis Toxicity?
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The classical signs and symptoms of Digitalis toxicity include abdominal cramps, breathing difficulty, and blurriness of vision.
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Patients experience loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
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One may feel their heart beating very fast or abnormally sluggish. Overall there is an irregular heartbeat and episodes of syncope as well.
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The state of mind is altered, leading to confusion.
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One may see bright spots in the air or alternatively may experience blind spots instead.
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Urinary output is increased more than usual.
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The body tends to swell up due to generalized edema.
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A critical case of digitalis toxicity may threaten one’s life because extremely high levels of Digitalis make the heartbeat rapidly and slowly at the same time, and this can lead to complete and acute heart failure.
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The skin may appear to have yellowish-green discoloration.
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Palpitations, dizziness, and lethargy are other clinical manifestations of digitalis toxicity.
How to Avoid Digitalis Toxicity?
Never miss informing your doctor about the medication that you are already under and its duration as well. This will help to determine if Digitalis can cause any clash with the ongoing medication within one’s cardiac system. Be it Digitalis or any other medicines, intake of drugs must always be done strictly after consultation by the respective professional. The healthcare provider prescribes the dose and frequency to take Digitalis, which must be followed without any self alterations. Every individual is asked to eat a different amount and strength of Digitalis based on their underlying condition. The dosage definitely varies from person to person and also from child to adult to senile.
In case the prescribed form of Digitalis is liquid, accurate measurement devices must be used instead of random cutleries. If a dose is missed, contact your healthcare provider to decide to either skip the dose or take the missed dose. In any case, do not double the following dosage amount in order to balance the previously missed dose. Medications do not work in this manner and can lead to complications. It should be noted that digitalis must not be abruptly discontinued without a doctor’s recommendation and suggestion.
How Is Digitalis Toxicity Diagnosed?
A case of Digitalis toxicity is not very prevalent. Only 1 % of patients who are suffering from congestive heart failure show up with Digitalis toxicity. Acquiring an electrocardiogram is critical to diagnosing any cardiac toxicity, such as Digitalis toxicity. In addition to this, a complete metabolic panel and Digoxin levels are requested. There should be a repetition of these tests and any other test the physician advises after 6 hours of Digitalis intake.
The segments in the electrocardiogram represent levels that the physician best understands, but this does not show toxicity. Instead, it shows the condition of the heart due to the effect of the ongoing toxicity. The physician should be aware of the emergency treatment needed to correct arrhythmia since it can be fatal in severe digitalis toxicity cases. Accidental overdose and other medical histories should be thoroughly explained to the physician because this will help prompt diagnosis and tailor a direct treatment plan for quick recovery.
How Is Digitalis Toxicity Treated?
Since Digitalis toxicity is parallel to the poisoning of the body, an antidote is administered for treatment. Digitalis-specific antibody antigen-binding fragments link themselves directly to Digitalis and are proven to be a potent antidote. This antidote is prescribed for Digitalis toxicity and arrhythmias, hypotension, which means fatal low levels of blood pressure, and bradycardia, which means abnormally slow heartbeat. Experimental doses of this antidote must never be ingested. Instead, only a licensed medical professional can prescribe the necessary antidote and its strength depending on the severity of ongoing Digitalis toxicity. In the case of renal failure, dialysis is also a choice of treatment. Unfortunately, dialysis is not a direct help for the management of Digitalis toxicity.
Conclusion
Digitalis toxicity is an uncommon emergency found in less than 2 % of patients suffering from congestive heart failure. It occurs due to increased intake of the drug, digitalis. The classical signs include xanthopsia which means seeing yellowish halo lights, and chromatopsia, which means modified reception of colors. It should be noted that during antidote administration, the Digitalis toxicity should be reversed but not to the extent which leads to the precipitation of the underlying cardiovascular condition for which the patient has been prescribed Digitalis. The outright way to treat digitalis toxicity is by a multidisciplinary approach addressing the present clinical manifestations. Prompt treatment and constant monitoring are required since Digitalis toxicity can be life-threatening if not managed. The crucial factor in avoiding Digitalis toxicity is patient education about drug safety. The outcome post-treatment of Digitalis toxicity is good and does not affect the future quality of life.
