GI upset, constipation, intestinal spasm/pain and a metallic taste indicate poisoning by which metal?

GI upset, constipation, intestinal spasm/pain and a metallic taste indicate poisoning by which metal?

• A. Lead
• B. Arsenic
• C. Mercury
• D. Cadmium

Answer: (A)

Lead exposure commonly irritates the gastrointestinal tract, producing abdominal cramping (lead colic), constipation, and overall GI upset. A metallic taste can also accompany lead poisoning. These GI features are classic early signs of lead toxicity, making it the best fit for this symptom pattern. Other metals tend to show different primary effects—arsenic often causes vomiting and profuse diarrhea, mercury tends to produce neurological symptoms like tremors, and cadmium mainly damages kidneys and bones—so they don’t align as closely with this particular constellation of GI symptoms plus a metallic taste.

Lead exposure commonly irritates the gastrointestinal tract, producing abdominal cramping (lead colic), constipation, and overall GI upset. A metallic taste can also accompany lead poisoning. These GI features are classic early signs of lead toxicity, making it the best fit for this symptom pattern. Other metals tend to show different primary effects—arsenic often causes vomiting and profuse diarrhea, mercury tends to produce neurological symptoms like tremors, and cadmium mainly damages kidneys and bones—so they don’t align as closely with this particular constellation of GI symptoms plus a metallic taste.