Symptoms of Drug Overdose

Overdosing on drugs effects the whole body of the person taking the drugs. Large amounts of one kind of drug may cause only minimal effects, where a smaller amount of a different medication could cause a worse effect or even death. Small doses of a medication are even more deadly to a younger child.

Some symptoms of an overdose are vital sign problems. Such as, blood pressure or your heart rate. These can be increased, decreased, or just stop completely. Another symptoms is drowsiness, being confused, or going into a coma. The skin can also be sweaty and cold or hot and dry, and chest pain may occur. Lastly, vomiting, stomach pains, or nausea are common signs of drug overdose. What other symptoms do you know of?

Causes of Drug Overdose

Drug overdose is very harmful and is the cause of many deaths. There are two main causes of drug overdose. One cause is accidental by a child too young to know what they are doing, or an older person who has impaired mental abilites. The other major cause is a purposeful drug overdose by someone who is trying to harm themself.

Due to curiousity in young children, when medication is left within reach, they tend to grab it. Between the ages 6 months to 5 years, many kids put everything in their mouths. Therefore, the overdose of drugs in this age category are usually caused by medication getting left where it shouldn't be.

Purposeful drug overdose is usually found in the age category of teens or adults. Overdosing on drugs may be an attempt at suicide, or could stem from unknown underlying mental health conditions. What are your views on drug overdose?