Professor Cinel said that it can be fatal
While many Brits may brush off their symptoms as the aftermath of a heavy night on the town, they could actually be dealing with a silent and deadly poison. Shockingly, UK official data suggests that deaths from methanol poisoning might be under-reported in our country, even though the global death toll remains alarmingly high.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has recently extended its warnings to eight additional countries due to an ‘increase in cases of death and serious illnesses caused by alcoholic beverages contaminated with methanol’.
These countries include Mexico, a favourite holiday spot for many Brits. Professor M.D Ismail Cinel, a medical expert from Acibadem, is urging people to realise that what they believe is a severe hangover could actually be a symptom of something far more grave.
“Methanol poisoning is extremely dangerous, and in most instances, tragically, it proves fatal. The body transforms methanol into formaldehyde and formic acid, two highly toxic compounds that can trigger severe metabolic acidosis,” he warned, reports Bristol Live.
“These substances harm the optic nerve, potentially leading to blindness, or can damage the brain, kidneys and other organs. Without swift treatment, this can result in a coma, respiratory failure or even death.”
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Prof Cinel shed light on what the key warning signs might be, and how long it could take for these symptoms to manifest. He revealed: “Initial symptoms may not start until 12-24 hours after your drink has been spiked with methanol, and you could feel perfectly fine up until then.
“You may think it’s a longer and more severe hangover than normal, as some of the initial symptoms can be quite similar. Symptoms may include a headache, nausea, vomiting – all things many Brits experience from taking a night too far.
“However, when this is alongside abdominal pain and dizziness, it could sadly be methanol poisoning. As these symptoms progress, you can deteriorate very, very quickly. These can lead to blurred or tunnel vision, confusion, rapid breathing or, if it does continue, going into a coma or even a fatality.”
Prof Cinel warns that recognising the warning signs early is absolutely crucial to preventing a potential death.
He said: “If you suspect that you’ve consumed a suspicious alcoholic drink, particularly if you’re abroad in one of the countries listed on the UK Government website, or your hangover does seem worse and longer than normal, you need to seek medical attention immediately.
“You may feel silly going to a doctor for a headache after a big night out, but a headache should get better over time rather than worse, and a typical hangover shouldn’t bring on additional dizziness or confusion as the day goes on.”