New Delhi: In recent events, Gujarat’s Kheda district has reported five deaths due to suspected consumption of an ayurvedic syrup.
As per the reports, these deaths were observed in just a time span of 48 hours. It is also believed that this syrup is contaminated with methyl alcohol, a major reason of five deaths and two hospital admissions.
According to the police, the initial investigation indicted that the avurvedic syrup, under the name of ‘Kalmeghasav – Asava Arishta,’ was distributed without prescription. It was also known that the syrup was distributed near to 50 individuals by a shopkeeper in Bilodara village near Nadiad town in Kheda district, reported Times of India.
Methyl alcohol: How poisonous is it?
As per the research, methanol toxicity can lead to several health conditions. While the symptoms can take time to reflect, the manifestations can be lethal. Initially, patients may develop headache, nausea, vomiting, or epigastric pain. In later stages, drowsiness may rapidly progress to obtundation and coma.
The toxicity also targets the respiratory system and makes it harder for the patients to breathe. The delay in treatment increases the high level of morbidity and mortality.
Methyl alcohol toxicity
Here are a few manifestations methanol toxicity can lead to:
Seizures: Epileptic seizures can usually occur as a complication of metabolic disorders or as a result of brain parenchymal lesions. Methanol toxicity has the similar effect on the body.
Vision loss: Methanol toxicity lets formic acid build up in the optic nerve. This further can lead to visual symptoms like flickering and blurring. Decreased vision is another manifestation of higher level of methyl alcohol in the body.
