<unk>  is harmful to all forms of life just like chlorine gas poisoning and carbon monoxide poisoning. It is easily absorbed through the lungs and its inhalation can result in heart failure and sometimes death in severe cases. Individuals and races may differ in nitrogen<unk>  tolerance level and individual tolerance level for the gas may be altered by several factors, such as metabolic rate, barometric pressure, and hematological disorders but significant exposure may result in fatal conditions that could lead to shorter lifespan due to heart failure. Acute poisoning Exposure to high level of nitrogen<unk>  may lead to inflammation of the mucous membrane and the lower and upper respiratory tracts. The symptoms of acute<unk>  is non-specific and have a semblance with ammonia gas poisoning, chlorine gas poisoning, and carbon monoxide poisoning. The symptoms also resembles that of pneumonia or viral infection and other inhalational injuries but common symptoms includes rhinitis wheezing or coughing, conjunctivitis, headache, throat irritation and dyspnea which may progress to nasal fissures, ulcerations, or perforation. The patient is usually ill-appearing and presents with hypoxemia coupled with shallow rapid breathing. Therapy is supportive and includes removal from further nitrogen<unk>  exposure. Systemic symptoms include fever and anorexia. Electrocardiography and chest radiography can help in revealing diffuse, bilateral alveolar infiltrates. Chest radiography may be used in diagnosis and the baseline could be established with pulmonary function testing. There is no specific laboratory diagnostic test for acute<unk>  but analysis of arterial blood gas level, methemoglobin level, complete blood count, glucose test, lactate threshold measurement and r peripheral blood smear may be helpful in the diagnosis of<unk> . The determination of nitrogen<unk>  in urine or tissue does not establish the diagnosis, and there are technical and interpretive problems with these tests. Chronic poisoning Prolonged exposure to a very high level of nitrogen<unk>  in micro meter-size range, may have an inflammatory effect that principally targets the respiratory tracts leading to chronic<unk>  which can occur within days or weeks after the threshold limit value is excessively exceeded. This condition causes fever, rapid breathing coupled with rapid heart rate, labored breathing and severe shortness of breath. Other effects include diaphoresis, chest pain, and persistent dry cough, all of which may result in weight loss, anorexia and may also lead to right-side heart enlargement and heart disease in advanced cases. Prolonged exposure to relatively low levels of nitrogen (II) oxide may cause persistent headaches and nausea. Like chlorine gas poisoning, symptoms usually resolve themselves upon removal from further nitrogen<unk>  exposure, unless there had been an episode of severe acute poisoning. Treatment and management vary with symptoms. Patients are often observed for hypoxemia for a minimum of 12 hours if there are no initial symptoms and if the patient is hypoxemic, oxygen may be administered but high-dose steroids are recommended for patients with pulmonary manifestations. Patients may also be hospitalized for 12 to 24 hours or longer for observation if the gaseous exchange is impaired. In a case where gaseous exchange is impaired, mechanical ventilation and intubation may be necessary and if bronchiolitis obliterans develop within 2 to 6 weeks of nitrogen<unk>  exposure, corticosteroid therapy or anticholinergic medications may be required for 6 to 12 months to lower the body overreaction to nitrogen<unk>  gas.
Nitrogen dioxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Chlorine gas poisoning
Organophosphate poisoning
Oxygen toxicity
Cyanide poisoning
Barbiturate overdose
Nitrogen narcosis