Melania

[JamesTiberiusKirk]

Not just a river

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Not just a river

You're right, The Nile isn't just a simple river...

The Nile is widely considered the world's longest river, stretching approximately 6,650 km through 11 African nations—Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt—before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. It has two main tributaries, the White Nile and Blue Nile, and serves as a vital water source for over 160 million people.

Here are key facts about the Nile River:
Length and Location: The Nile spans 11 countries in Northeast Africa, from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea.

Two Main Tributaries: The White Nile (starting in South Sudan/Great Lakes region) and the Blue Nile (originating in Ethiopia) merge at Khartoum, Sudan. The Blue Nile contributes about 80% of the water.

Ancient Civilization: The river was the lifeblood of Ancient Egypt, providing fertile soil for farming via annual flooding.

Water Source: It is the primary water source for Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan.

Geography: The river flows from south to north and forms a large delta in Egypt before entering the Mediterranean.

Economic Impact: The Nile is essential for irrigation, fishing, transport, and hydroelectric power (e.g., the Aswan High Dam).

Wildlife: The river is home to various animals, including the Nile crocodile, soft-shelled turtles, and many fish species.

 

[JamesTiberiusKirk]

Mercury poisoning is a type of metal poisoning due to exposure to mercury.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Ber2012-3"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a> Symptoms depend upon the type, dose, method, and duration of exposure.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Ber2012-3"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-WHO2016-4"><span>[</span>4<span>]</span></a> They may include muscle weakness, poor coordination, numbness in the hands and feet, skin rashes, anxiety, memory problems, trouble speaking, trouble hearing, or trouble seeing.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-NIH2016-1"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></a> High-level exposure to methylmercury is known as Minamata disease.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Bos2010-2"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a> Methylmercury exposure in children may result in acrodynia (pink disease) in which the skin becomes pink and peels.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Bos2010-2"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a> Long-term complications may include kidney problems and decreased intelligence.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Bos2010-2"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a> The effects of long-term low-dose exposure to methylmercury are unclear.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-6"><span>[</span>6<span>]</span></a>

Forms of mercury exposure include metal, vapor, salt, and organic compound.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Ber2012-3"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a> Most exposure is from eating fish, amalgam-based dental fillings, or exposure at a workplace.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Ber2012-3"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a> In fish, those higher up in the food chain generally have higher levels of mercury, a process known as biomagnification.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Ber2012-3"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a> Less commonly, poisoning may occur as a method of attempted suicide.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Ber2012-3"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a> Human activities that release mercury into the environment include the burning of coal and mining of gold.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-WHO2016-4"><span>[</span>4<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-7"><span>[</span>7<span>]</span></a> Tests of the blood, urine, and hair for mercury are available but do not relate well to the amount in the body.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Ber2012-3"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a>

Prevention includes eating a diet low in mercury, removing mercury from medical and other devices, proper disposal of mercury, and not mining further mercury.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-WHO2016-4"><span>[</span>4<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Bos2010-2"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a> In those with acute poisoning from inorganic mercury salts, chelation with either dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) or dimercaptopropane sulfonate (DMPS) appears to improve outcomes if given within a few hours of exposure.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Kos2013-5"><span>[</span>5<span>]</span></a> Chelation for those with long-term exposure is of unclear benefit.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-Kos2013-5"><span>[</span>5<span>]</span></a> In certain communities that survive on fishing, rates of mercury poisoning among children have been as high as 1.7 per 100.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-WHO2016-4"><span>[</span>4<span>]</span></a>

Signs and symptoms​

Common symptoms of mercury poisoning are peripheral neuropathy, presenting as paresthesia or itching, burning, pain, or even a sensation that resembles small insects crawling on or under the skin (formication); skin discoloration (pink cheeks, fingertips and toes); swelling; desquamation (shedding or peeling of skin).<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-8"><span>[</span>8<span>]</span></a> and the range of neurological symptoms associated with erethism.

Mercury irreversibly inhibits selenium-dependent enzymes (see below) and may also inactivate S-adenosyl methionine, which is necessary for catecholamine catabolism by catechol-O-methyltransferase. Due to the body's inability to degrade catecholamines (e.g. adrenaline), a person with mercury poisoning may experience profuse sweating, tachycardia (persistently faster-than-normal heart beat), increased salivation, and hypertension (high blood pressure).<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-9"><span>[</span>9<span>]</span></a>

Affected children may show red cheeks, nose and lips, loss of hair, teeth, and nails, transient rashes, hypotonia (muscle weakness), and increased sensitivity to light. Other symptoms may include kidney dysfunction (e.g. Fanconi syndrome) or neuropsychiatric symptoms such as emotional lability, memory impairment, or insomnia.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-10"><span>[</span>10<span>]</span></a>

Thus, the clinical presentation may resemble pheochromocytoma or Kawasaki disease. Desquamation (skin peeling) can occur with severe mercury poisoning acquired by handling elemental mercury.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning#cite_note-siblings-11"><span>[</span>11<span>]</span></a>

 

[Monkey Man]

@JamesTiberiusKirk not sure why you posted that.

I've had it since I was 8, a few years after a serious lead poisoning.

The mercury was due to consistent handling of the elemental form. Then fillings putting out 45 times normal Mg gas levels (galvanic-activity test). Then another big whack from dental-filling filings when they were drilled-out.

F'n ruined my life I tell ya.

 

[JamesTiberiusKirk]

@JamesTiberiusKirk not sure why you posted that.

I've had it since I was 8, a few years after a serious lead poisoning.

The mercury was due to consistent handling of the elemental form. Then fillings putting out 45 times normal Mg gas levels (galvanic-activity test). Then another big whack from dental-filling filings when they were drilled-out.

F'n ruined my life I tell ya.

Easily explained. Mad as a Hatter cut and pasted a bunch of drivel in reply to my joke post "Denial isn't just a river in Egypt".

As you might know, being "mad as a hatter" was attributed to back when hatters used to use mercury to shape their hats. So I replied to him with a bunch of drivel associated with his user name.

All good?

 

[Monkey Man]

Of course bro'; I was just-curious is all 'cause it appeared to come out-of-the-blue.

Of course, I know about the mad-as-a-hatter thing.

Thanks man. All-good.