RT Book, Section
A1 Williams, Saralyn R.
A1 Thurman, R. Jason
A2 Knoop, Kevin J.
A2 Stack, Lawrence B.
A2 Storrow, Alan B.
A2 Thurman, R. Jason
SR Print(0)
ID 1181056836
T1 Inhalant Abuse
T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e
YR 2021
FD 2021
PB McGraw-Hill
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260134940
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181056836
RD 2024/04/24
AB Inhalant  abuse,  the  intentional  inhalation  of  vapors  for  the  purpose  of  becoming  “high,”  is  more  common  among  adolescents.  Sniffing  refers  to  the  inhalation  of  the  agent  directly  from  a  container,  such  as  model  airplane  glue.  Huffing  involves  placing  solvent  on  some  type  of  fabric  and  inhaling  the  vapors  from  the  fabric.  Bagging  is  the  name  given  to  the  technique  of  spraying  the  solvent  into  a  bag  and  then  rebreathing  from  the  bag.  Occasionally  the  bag  is  placed  over  the  head,  potentially  resulting  in  asphyxiant  death.  Inhalants  are  rapidly  absorbed  via  the  lungs  and  readily  cross  the  blood-brain  barrier.  Initial  effects  include  euphoria  and  occasional  hallucinations.  CNS  depression  may  occur.  Acute  cardiotoxicity  may  also  occur  and  is  thought  to  be  the  cause  of  “sudden  sniffing  death.”  The  cause  of  death  is  thought  to  be  due  to  increased  myocardial  sensitization  that  promotes  dysrhythmogenesis  in  the  setting  of  a  catecholamine  surge.  A  defatting  dermatitis  may  be  evident  on  the  hands  due  to  chronic  exposure  to  solvents.  Chronic  effects  from  inhalant  abuse  include  leukoencephalopathy,  cardiomyopathy,  cerebellar  degeneration,  and  neuropathy.