Auto-intoxication

Under autointoxification (Syn Autotoxikose, English. Autointoxication ) refers to the rare condition of a "self-poisoning" of the body with clinical significance . (Etymology: gr. Aut (o) = self, own; gr. Toxos = poison; lat. Intoxicatio = poisoning;) by substances or poisons that are formed in one's own body (endogenously). These substances are either the body's own metabolic products or originate from microorganisms (especially as bacterial toxins ) as part of an infection . This article does not describe suicide ( suicide ) or the corresponding attempt to do so by consciously initiated poisoning.

In principle, a distinction must be made between an increased incidence of such substances during and / or reduced removal from the body during certain diseases.

Also, acidosis or alkalosis can be understood as an auto-intoxication in a broader sense.

Sometimes proponents of colon hydrotherapy (CHT) suggest a possible autotoxicosis due to a possible deficient intestinal detoxification or intestinal autointoxication .

In the 19th century there were suspicions about autotoxic processes as causes for a large number of diseases.

Mechanisms of origin

The body continually produces metabolic products that leave the body in various ways (detoxification / elimination). Only in the context of certain diseases can the concentrations reach values ​​to cause symptoms or further damage.

Diseases that can lead to auto-intoxication

• Kidney disorders: uremia in severe renal insufficiency ,
• Liver disease: liver failure can lead to symptoms of poisoning. The cause can be hepatitis . The hepatic coma is feared as a result of such symptoms of poisoning. Another example is newborn jaundice .
• Metabolic diseases: Acetonemia in diabetes mellitus (diabetes).
• Burns: Burns can also lead to auto-intoxication.

These diseases can mean that metabolic products or bacterial toxins are not excreted in a controlled manner or that abnormal concentrations of these substances can arise.

literature

• TS Chen, PS Chen: Intestinal autointoxication. A medical leitmotif . In: Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology . 1989 Aug; 11 (4): 434-441, ISSN  0192-0790 PMID 2668399
• J. Lacey Smith: Sir Arbuthnot Lane, Chronic intestinal stasis, and autointoxication . In: Annals of Internal Medicine , 1982 Mar; 96 (3): 365-369, ISSN  0003-4819 . PMID 7036818
• Walter C. Alvarez: Origin of the so-called auto-intoxication symptoms . In: JAMA , Vol. 72 (1919), pp. 8-13, ISSN  0254-9077 .
• Arthur N. Donaldson: Relation of constipation to intestinal intoxication . In: JAMA , 78 : 884-888 (1922).

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Edzard Ernst : Colonic irrigation and the theory of autointoxication. A triumph of ignorance over science . In: Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology , Vol. 24 (1997), No. 4, pp. 196-198, ISSN 0192-0790 . PMID 9252839  
2. ^ Richard Noll: Historical review. Autointoxication and focal infection theories of dementia praecox . In: World Journal of Biological Psychiatry , 2004 Apr; 5 (2): 66-72, ISSN  1562-2975 PMID 15179665

Web links

Wiktionary: Autointoxication  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

• Whorton J: Civilization and the colon: constipation as the "disease of diseases" with reference to autointoxication in the British med journal

See also

• Cholemia
• Hyperammonaemia
• Thyrotoxicosis

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !