Endemic Fluorosis and Occurrence Gastrointestinal Disorders in Prakasam District A.P

Fluoride has been known to cause significant effect on human health through drinking water. Excessive ingestion of fluorides not only causes dental and skeletal fluorosis but also leads to gastro intestinal disturbances. Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, India is having severe fluorosis. In the present study epidemiological survey was conducted in five villages of Prakasam district regarding the incidence of Gastrointestinal symptoms such as loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, bloody vomiting, Pain in the upper part of the abdomen and blotting in the upper abdomen after eating. The results showed that nausea was found in 23 % of population. Loss of appetite was found in 18 % of villagers. Indigestion, bloody vomit was very low (6%) Experimental results show that male albino rats with ingestion of 4mg/L of fluorides for 120 days caused damage to the intestinal mucosa and sub mucosa. The possible reasons for the gastrointestinal problems and mechanism of action of fluorides on gastrointestinal tract was discussed.