Baking soda overdose

Baking soda is a cooking product that helps batter rise. This article discusses the effects of swallowing a large amount of baking soda. Baking soda is considered nontoxic when it is used in cooking and baking.

Soda loading refers to drinking baking soda. Some athletes and coaches believe that drinking baking soda before competition helps a person perform for longer periods of time. This is very dangerous. Besides having side effects, it makes the athletes unable to perform.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call the local emergency number (such as 911) or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

Sodium bicarbonate can be poisonous in large amounts.

Where Found

Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate.

Symptoms

Symptoms of baking soda overdose include:

• Constipation

  Constipation

  Constipation in infants and children means they have hard stools or have problems passing stools. A child may have pain while passing stools or may ...

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• Convulsions

  Convulsions

  A seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...

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• Diarrhea

  Diarrhea

  Diarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.

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• Feeling of being full
• Frequent urination

  Frequent urination

  Frequent urination means needing to urinate more often than usual. Urgent urination is a sudden, strong need to urinate. This causes a discomfort i...

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• Irritability
• Muscle spasms

  Muscle spasms

  A charley horse is the common name for a muscle spasm or cramp. Muscle spasms can occur in any muscle in the body, but often happen in the leg. Whe...

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• Muscle weakness
• Vomiting

Home Care

Seek medical help right away. Do not make a person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• Name of product
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control

The local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also get online poison help now at Poisonhelp.org. Just enter the product, poison, or medicine to get expert help.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

Your provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. You may receive:

• Activated charcoal if a large amount was recently ingested
• Blood and urine tests
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

  Electrocardiogram

  An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

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• Intravenous fluids (through a vein)
• Medicines to treat symptoms

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome of a baking soda overdose depends on many factors, including:

• Amount of baking soda swallowed
• Time between the overdose and when treatment began
• Person's age, weight, and overall health
• Type of complications that develop

If nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are not controlled, serious dehydration and body chemical and mineral (electrolyte) imbalances may occur. These can cause heart rhythm disturbances.

Keep all household food items in their original containers and out of the reach of children. Any white powder may look like sugar to a child. This mix up can lead to accidental ingestion.