Ginkgo poisoning

　　White ginkgo, also known as ginkgo, is the kernel of the ginkgo tree, used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat phlegm, asthma, and women's leukorrhea. The components of white ginkgo are not fully understood, the kernel contains ginkgolic acid and ginkgolic acid, which have a stimulating effect on the skin and mucous membranes, act on the central nervous system first to excite and then to inhibit, and cause peripheral nerve disorders. White ginkgo contains hydrogen cyanide toxins, which are highly toxic. The toxicity decreases after heating, so raw consumption is more likely to cause poisoning. The general dose of poisoning is 10-50 seeds, and the symptoms of poisoning occur 1-12 hours after eating white ginkgo. Contact with the seed coat during collection can cause poisoning due to long-term contact and residual toxicity on the skin.

　　If ginkgo is eaten carelessly and poisoning occurs, it can cause symptoms of poisoning with the nervous, respiratory, and digestive systems, such as foaming at the mouth, coma, loss of pain sensation, rapid breathing, sudden cessation of breathing, acute pulmonary edema, vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea, and others. In severe cases, respiratory failure and liver kidney failure can directly lead to death. Adults who consume excessive amounts can also cause severe convulsions and other poisoning symptoms.

　　The clinical manifestations of ginkgo poisoning mainly include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, cyanosis, in addition, there are obvious symptoms of central nervous system damage, such as headache, extreme fear, screaming, slight sound and stimulation can cause convulsions, loss of consciousness, coma, difficulty breathing and other symptoms. Severe cases can lead to respiratory paralysis and death, the symptoms develop rapidly, so once there is any suspicion of poisoning, it is necessary to rescue and treat promptly.

　　To prevent ginkgo poisoning, avoid excessive consumption or raw consumption of ginkgo, and do not feed infants. The toxic components of ginkgo are easily soluble in water, and their toxicity is reduced after heating, so they can be soaked in clean water for more than an hour before heating and boiling, which can greatly improve the safety of eating ginkgo. Avoid contact with the seed coat when picking ginkgo, and seek medical attention in a timely manner if poisoning symptoms are found.

　　Ginkgo poisoning can generally be diagnosed through medical history, with patients usually having a history of eating a large amount of cooked or boiled white seeds. The clinical examination methods for ginkgo poisoning include examining the stomach contents, vomiting, and laboratory tests. Laboratory tests may show an increase in total white blood cells and neutrophils. Cerebrospinal fluid examination may show increased intracranial pressure, increased cell count, protein (+), and sugar (+).

　　After ginkgo poisoning, patients should pay attention to avoiding spicy and irritating foods in their diet, and in the recovery period, they should eat more fine, soft, and easily digestible foods such as congee, soup, and egg custard, and gradually return to normal diet, starting with a light diet and reducing the intake of greasy foods. Eggs, milk, dairy products, vegetables, and fruits can be eaten appropriately, which is helpful for improving the patient's nutrition and physical recovery.

　　The main aspects of the Western medical treatment for ginkgo poisoning include the following:

　　1. Immediate induction of vomiting, gastric lavage, and catharsis

　　If there is a possibility of poisoning, it can be immediately washed out with physiological saline to expel the toxins that have entered the stomach, reduce further damage to the body, and magnesium sulfate enema.

　　2. Fluid replacement to accelerate drug excretion

　　Balance salt solution, active fluid replacement, promote the metabolism of toxins, actively protect the kidneys to avoid renal failure.

　　3. Hormonal therapy

　　Adrenal cortical hormone can be used to treat this disease, by increasing the body's tolerance and reducing the toxic effects of toxins on the body.

　　4. Symptomatic treatment

　　Such as using 654-2 to relieve abdominal pain, etc.