What are the harmful effects of electric current on the human body?

Apr 10, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Shuwen

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, the harmful effects of electric current on the human body include electric shock, burns, nervous system damage, respiratory tract injury, and asphyxiation. Appropriate treatment methods should be selected depending on the type of injury. If one accidentally comes into contact with a leaking electrical device, the body may suffer an electric shock, resulting in symptoms such as tremors and pain; in severe cases, seizures or coma may occur.

Under normal circumstances, the harmful effects of electric current on the human body include electric shock, burns, nervous system damage, respiratory tract injury, and suffocation. Appropriate treatment methods should be selected based on the specific type of injury. The detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Electric Shock

If someone accidentally comes into contact with a leaking electrical source, the body may experience an electric shock, resulting in symptoms such as tremors and pain. In severe cases, muscle spasms or coma may occur. It is essential to immediately cut off the power supply, move the patient to a safe environment, loosen clothing promptly, and maintain an open airway. If the patient is unconscious, administer artificial respiration as first aid, followed by electrocardiographic monitoring and further medical treatment.

2. Burns

When the body contacts an electric current, the generated thermal energy can cause burns. Affected areas may experience pain, blistering, or blackening; in severe cases, extensive or full-body burns may occur. Wound management or skin grafting procedures can be performed under a doctor's guidance.

3. Nervous System Damage

Electric current may also damage the nervous system, causing symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, and weakness. In serious cases, sudden cardiac arrest may occur, leading to ischemia, hypoxia, and even death. Treatment may include medications such as B-complex vitamins and mouse nerve growth factor under medical supervision. Severe cases may require surgical nerve repair.

4. Respiratory Tract Injury

Intense electric current can cause muscle spasms and convulsions that narrow or close the airway, obstructing normal breathing and damaging the respiratory tract. Patients may be treated under medical guidance with medications such as Roxithromycin Capsules or She Dan Chuan Bei Liquid.

5. Suffocation

Strong electrical stimulation may trigger neurological reactions causing a sensation of suffocation. This feeling may result from abnormal stimulation of the nervous system. Under a doctor’s direction, patients may use medications such as Dexamethasone Acetate Tablets or Prednisone Acetate Tablets for treatment.

If exposed to electric current, it is recommended to seek immediate medical attention to avoid delays in treatment.

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What's wrong with my feet feeling tingly, as if an electric current is passing through?

Tingling and numbness in the feet, as if experiencing an electric shock, may be caused by physiological factors or conditions such as cervical spondylosis and lumbar disc herniation. Maintaining the same posture for prolonged periods can lead to numbness in the feet. When cervical spondylosis compresses and irritates the spinal cord and nerve roots, patients may experience symptoms such as numbness and weakness in the hands and feet, as well as unsteady gait. Patients with lumbar disc herniation are also prone to develop numbness.