What causes a person to pass out and foam at the mouth?

It is crucial to remember that the situation may require urgent intervention to address potential medical emergencies or opioid overdose. Throughout this blog, we will explore different drugs and substances known to cause foaming at the mouth. We will discuss the physiological mechanisms behind this symptom, potential risks and complications, and situations where foaming at the mouth may indicate a medical emergency. Additionally, we will address response, treatment, and prevention strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals experiencing foaming at the mouth.

Everything You Should Know About Topamax and Its Effects

Even if you’re not in immediate danger, you should still see a healthcare provider to get the cause diagnosed and treated. Foaming at the mouth is a sign of an overdose of a drug, but it is not always a sign of a life-threatening overdose. Depending on the drug involved, the foaming at the mouth can be the result of a mild to moderate overdose or it can be the sign of a serious overdose. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if someone is foaming at the mouth due to drug use.

Call 911 (or your local emergency services number) if you think you’re having a drug overdose or heart attack. Get emergency help if someone you’re with has a seizure that lasts for more than five minutes. Foaming at the mouth can be a symptom of lots of issues and health conditions.

Opioid overdose symptoms

Around 10% of people experience non-epileptic seizures triggered by syncope, low blood sugar, POTS, panic attacks and more. These symptoms, combined with agitation and confusion, can lead to the accumulation of foamy saliva around the mouth. Go to a hospital, local health clinic, or a doctor for post-exposure prophylaxis shots as soon as possible.

According to a study by Harvard Medical School, sufficient sleep significantly lowers seizure risk. Avoid exposure to harmful substances, like recreational drugs or environmental toxins, as these can exacerbate symptoms and lead to episodes. Foaming at the mouth is a concerning symptom that can indicate several serious medical conditions. Understanding its various causes and recognizing when to seek immediate medical attention can be crucial for proper treatment and potentially life-saving intervention.

Licensed by Arizona Department of health services

Drug interactions can cause foaming at the mouth, as well as confusion, disorientation, and difficulty breathing. Drug interactions can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. An allergic reaction to a drug can cause foaming at the mouth, as well as other symptoms such as hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing. Allergic reactions can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

is foaming at the mouth a sign of overdose

What to do if a person may have been poisoned

Stimulant overdoses can be life-threatening and should be treated as a medical emergency. Distinguishing between different substances and their effects on the body is crucial in medical and other emergency care contexts. When someone experiences foaming at the mouth, they produce excessive saliva that becomes frothy or foam-like, often accompanied by other symptoms. This condition can result from various underlying causes, ranging from neurological events to toxic exposure. Recognizing the context and accompanying symptoms is crucial for determining the appropriate response.

Our Treatment Centres

Drug overdoses can cause altered mental state, difficulty breathing, and blue lips or fingertips. Tonic-clonic seizures do not always require medical attention. However, a person should contact emergency services if it is the person’s first seizure, they experience multiple seizures, or they have a serious injury. Many of the issues that cause foaming at the mouth can affect you while you’re asleep.

  • If it is due to poisoning, the patient may need to be hospitalized for supportive care and treatment.
  • People with seizure disorders or epilepsy can experience a few different types of seizures, each with its own unique set of symptoms.
  • Some drugs may cause medical emergencies and dangerous side effects, such as foaming at the mouth.
  • If you found this article helpful, please share it with others to spread awareness about this critical medical issue.

We are committed to help individuals, communities and families achieve freedom from addiction and our mission to do this is clear. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia and can also be used to treat seizures. Some common benzodiazepines that can cause foaming at the mouth include diazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam. Some people with POTS experience seizure-like episodes, but whether POTS directly causes psychogenic non-epileptic seizures is debated.

  • Overdose causes foaming at the mouth because organs like the heart and lungs can’t function properly.
  • It can increase the risk of aspiration, which is when food or liquid is inhaled into the lungs and can cause lung infections.
  • Commonly used hallucinogens include LSD, mushrooms, and PCP.

An opioid overdose can happen if a person has overloaded their body with medications or illicit drugs, or a combination of opioids and other medications, drugs, or alcohol. Every day, approximately 130 people die from an opioid overdose in the United States. The response to foaming at the mouth depends on the underlying cause. It is important to prioritize the individual’s safety and well-being.

The Scottsdale, AZ based Pinnacle Peak Recovery Detox Center recently published an article that explores how certain drugs can cause foaming at the mouth. To be more specific, the article says a fluid leak in the lungs (as a result of opioid overdose) can cause foaming at the mouth. Opioids act as depressants as well, which means they slow down the body’s responses. As a result, a person’s heart rate and breathing can slow, reaching dangerously low levels. If an individual shows any signs of an opioid overdose, it is important to call for medical help.Drugs are not the only problem that causes foaming at the mouth.

If encountering someone exhibiting foaming at the mouth due to toxic substance exposure, it is vital to prioritize their safety. Remove them from the toxic environment and seek immediate medical attention. If you find someone who has consumed too many drugs and is found foaming at the mouth (and unconscious) then there are some ways to ensure that you help them correctly.

If you take too much of one of these drugs, you could overdose, meaning your body can’t is foaming at the mouth a sign of overdose detox the drug before deadly symptoms take effect. It occurs when an excess of saliva mixes with air or gasses to create a foam. During tonic-clonic seizures, increased muscle activity and temporary loss of swallowing control lead to saliva accumulation and foaming. Watch for sudden loss of consciousness, rigid muscles, jerking movements, and potential loss of bladder control. By increasing awareness, providing education, and promoting safety measures, we can help prevent situations that lead to foaming at the mouth.

Normal saliva, when mixed with air, may create small bubbles or frothy saliva, particularly during activities like vigorous exercise or intense physical exertion. This is a natural response and typically resolves without any cause for concern. So the next time you—or someone you care about—faces this alarming symptom, you’ll know exactly what to do. If you suspect an opioid overdose, administer naloxone (Narcan) immediately. Even if they seem fine after naloxone, they still need medical evaluation. Now, the thought of seeking opioid addiction treatment can often be met with fear, denial, or shame.

In cases of overdose, fluid can accumulate in the lungs (pulmonary edema), which may result in foaming at the mouth due to the mixing of saliva with air and fluid from the lungs. As per ADHS, opioid overdoses have led to 371 deaths in Arizona in 2024 among adults aged alone. There are numerous dangerous side effects of drug abuse that may be more subtle, but equally as damaging. A lot of addictive substances play a role in affecting the body, such as organs and general wellbeing. Oftentimes drugs are stimulants which means that they can alter your heart rate and blood pressure, and for people with pre-existing conditions, it can exacerbate symptoms.

No Comments

Post A Comment