Acetone is an organic solvent which is colorless and volatile liquid. It can be obtained from natural resources of plants and trees and also as a by-product of animal fats. Acetone is present in urine and blood in minute quantities and the same would be in high levels for diabetic patients. Liver is the organ that breaks down excess of acetone from the body. When the amount of acetone becomes higher than the normal level, the liver becomes incapable of breaking it down resulting in acetone poisoning.
Acetone evaporates quickly in air and when exposed it is easily inflammable and hence should be stored carefully. Many products like nail polish, furniture polish contains acetone. Acetone poisoning is a rare phenomenon that occurs when a person accidentally consume rubbing alcohol or certain paints. It can also be caused when blood sugar increases in alarming amounts resulting in ketoacidosis creating plenty of acetone in the blood that cannot be handled by liver.
A person who is low-fat diet may contain increased levels of acetone in his blood and urine. Similarly when a person is starving for more days his body produces volumes of acetone by metabolic process. Acetone poisoning may produce symptoms like slurred speech and lethargy feeling. Acetone poisoning should be treated immediately to avoid fatal results. The patient will be stabilized by giving extra oxygen or will be forced to vomit acetone by stomach pumping method.
Symptoms :
Human body can tolerate up to 200 ml of acetone easily. Acetone poisoning is a rare occurrence and it develops only if large volumes of acetone are consumed or inhaled by a person accidentally. Acetone poisoning in mild form can produce symptoms like headache and slurred speech. Some people may feel lethargic and sleepy due to overproduction of acetone.
In severe cases the patient may go into coma or even die within minutes. He may lose conscious and would have difficulty in breathing. It can cause intense pain in the stomach with fruity odor of breath. This condition may lead to mental imbalance and sudden coma. When a person is forced to inhale large volumes of acetone vapor, it can cause severe irritation in his mouth and throat. Soft mucus lining of the esophagus may get burned due to acetone vapor.