What are the medical
complications of
methamphetamine
abuse?
Methamphetamine can
cause a variety of
cardiovascular
problems. These
include rapid heart
rate, irregular
heartbeat, increased
blood pressure, and
irreversible,
stroke-producing
damage to small
blood vessels in the
brain. Hyperthermia
(elevated body
temperature) and
convulsions occur
with methamphetamine
overdoses, and if
not treated
immediately, can
result in death.
Chronic
methamphetamine
abuse can result in
inflammation of the
heart lining, and
among users who
inject the drug,
damaged blood
vessels and skin
abscesses.
Methamphetamine
abusers also can
have episodes of
violent behavior,
paranoia, anxiety,
confusion, and
insomnia. Heavy
users also show
progressive social
and occupational
deterioration.
Psychotic symptoms
can sometimes
persist for months
or years after use
has ceased.
Acute lead poisoning
is another potential
risk for
methamphetamine
abusers. A common
method of illegal
methamphetamine
production uses lead
acetate as a
reagent. Production
errors therefore may
result in
methamphetamine
contaminated with
lead. There have
been documented
cases of acute lead
poisoning in
intravenous
methamphetamine
abusers.
Fetal exposure to
methamphetamine also
is a significant
problem in the
United States. At
present, research
indicates that
methamphetamine
abuse during
pregnancy may result
in prenatal
complications,
increased rates of
premature delivery,
and altered neonatal
behavioral patterns,
such as abnormal
reflexes and extreme
irritability.
Methamphetamine
abuse during
pregnancy may be
linked also to
congenital
deformities.
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