Hemorrhagic stroke caused by xylometazoline poisoning.

An increase in the use of over-the-counter medications has been observed in recent years. This also concerns xylometazoline, approved for the treatment of allergic rhinitis or upper respiratory tract infections. We present the fatal case of a 40 year-old-woman with a massive hemorrhagic stroke. Initial toxicology tests of biological material collected during autopsy revealed the presence of xylometazoline. No other significant toxicology findings were noted. LC-MS/MS method has been developed to determine xylometazoline concentration, which was 18.6 ng/mL in blood and 498.9 ng/mL in urine. The macroscopically detected hemorrhagic focus was confirmed by histopathological which confirmed hemorrhagic infarcts in the brain tissue, especially in the subarachnoid area. No other pathological changes were found. Based on findings from autopsy and toxicological analyses, the direct cause of death was concluded to be hemorrhagic stroke resulting from xylometazoline intoxication. Although xylometazoline products are regarded as relatively safe and are available over the counter, the risk of adverse effects, in particular stroke leading to death, should be considered. If adverse effects are observed, it is reasonable to measure the concentration of the drug in blood and urine. With such data, it will be possible to assess the actual exposure to this xenobiotic and draw firmer conclusions.

[Knowledge of healthy behaviours among teenagers attending selected schools of the Lublin region]. / Wiedza o zachowaniach prozdrowotnych mlodziezy wybranych szkól Lubelszczyzny.

It is commonly known that protection of human health depends to greatest extent on knowledge and actions good or hazardous for it. Childhood and youth are periods of life when education is more likely to have the best results. The aim of my paper was evaluation of the level of teenagers' knowledge of prohealth behaviours. The survey, in accordance with the standardised interview method, was carried out among the group of 100 secondary school students in the Lublin region. As a result it was proved that the level of the students' knowledge of certain prohealth behaviours varies. Negligence in health education is confirmed by a considerable percentage of wrong answers to questions concerning physical activity, selected issues from hygiene and stress. Health awareness among teenagers is moulded mainly by mass media and peers. The majority of the respondents admit incomplete knowledge of the subject. Since the role of the family in health education is rather limited, and the school includes this issue in its teaching programme to small extent, it would be desirable to place "health education" among other school subjects.