Symptoms of Overdose May Mimic Other Conditions

Overdoses are sometimes hard to pinpoint because the symptoms and signs can mimic some of those found in true medical conditions.  Some of the signs can include confusion, sweating, dizziness, and other signs that are often seen in medical conditions like dementia, heart attack, and stroke.  Residents who have experienced a drug overdose may be in pain due to effects of the drug that was administered too often or in the wrong concentrations.  More serious conditions that can develop due to an overdose include heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure, and respiratory arrest.  The kidneys and liver are responsible for filtering many drugs from the body and any overload of drugs can cause these important organs to shut down.  If the overdose is caught in time, it may take hemodialysis to get the kidneys out of failure and other measures to get the liver back in working order.  Other drugs and medical procedures may be needed to stop or prevent cardiac arrest and respiratory problems.  However, these measures may not be enough to prevent permanent brain damage or death.  Abusive staff members can’t be allowed to get away with overdoses, so contact a Riverside DUI lawyer to make sure you can fight for the rights of your loved one or hold the nursing home responsible for the death of a family member.