What are the harmful effects of nitrites?
Disease description:
Upon waking up in the morning, I felt dizzy and nauseous, with an urge to vomit. After visiting the hospital for evaluation, the doctor diagnosed me with sodium nitrite poisoning and advised me to reduce my intake of nitrites in daily life to avoid harm to my health. What are the manifestations of nitrite toxicity?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Lei
Long-term excessive consumption of nitrites can easily lead to acute poisoning. In patients with mild poisoning, common symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, chest tightness, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, patients may develop cyanosis—bluish discoloration of the conjunctiva, face, and entire body skin—and may even experience coma and urinary or fecal incontinence. In extreme cases, respiratory failure may occur, potentially resulting in death. In addition to acute toxicity, nitrites are also potentially carcinogenic.
