Brazil currently registers 127 notified cases of methanol poisoning and 11 confirmed, generating concern between authorities and health professionals. The substance, when ingested, It can cause severe damage to the organism in a matter of hours.
The neurologist Osvaldo Nascimento explained to CNN that methanol, when metabolized by the liver, produces formic acid, a substance that compromises the oxidative activity of the body. The process is extremely fast, reaching critical levels in just 30 minutes after ingestion, with symptoms manifesting between 12 and 24 hours.
Symptoms and Risks
They can be confused with a common hangover, including nausea and headache. However, The main warning is visual changes, such as the “snowfield” – Sensation of seeing white points – In addition to motor incoordination and alteration of consciousness, and can evolve into coma and death.
Treatment includes the use of hunger, an antidote that blocks the enzyme responsible for transforming methanol into formic acid, as well as hemodialysis. Even with proper treatment, about 30% to 40% of cases can result in death, and survivors may develop severe neurological sequelae.
Prevention and Care
As experts recommend avoiding the consumption of distilled drinks at the moment, opting for beers and wines. Visual identification of adulterated products is virtually impossible, even for experienced people due to the sophistication of falsification.
In case of suspected poisoning, especially in the presence of visual changes or more intense symptoms than a common hangover, the guidance is to seek medical attention immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to increasing the chances of survival and reducing the risk of permanent sequelae.
