Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning comes from exposure (breathing in) a colourless and odourless gas that comes from combustible sources. If there is too much carbon monoxide in the air you are breathing, you absorb oxygen at a reduced rate and you can get fatal tissue damage. Exposure to carbon monoxide is one of the leading causes of unintentional poisoning deaths.

Carbon monoxide comes from combustion and from any appliance or device that uses combustion to operate. This includes fireplaces that use wood, furnaces that use petroleum products and automobiles, which utilize gasoline as a form of combustion. If you breathe in the fumes of these products in a tightly contained, poorly ventilated space, you can suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning. There are simple precautions you can do to reduce your exposure to carbon monoxide.

The signs and symptoms of CO poisoning can be very subtle and not noticeable at first. Eventually, however, you do get noticeable symptoms. These include weakness, a dull headache, especially in the beginning, dizziness, chest pain, nausea and vomiting, confusion, impaired judgment, irritability and loss of consciousness, followed by death. Sleeping or intoxicated people are especially prone to carbon monoxide poisoning. There can be fatal fumes before anyone awakens and notices a problem going on.

You should seek medical attention when you think you are exposed to carbon monoxide. Open your windows and doors as soon as you think there has been an exposure or just leave the place to an open space such as the outdoors.

The cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is inhalation of combustion fumes. Your body then replaces the oxygen in the haemoglobin with carbon monoxide that clings to the haemoglobin and is difficult to replace with normal oxygen. Your body cannot maintain itself without oxygen and tissues die. Various home and industrial appliances put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. These include charcoal grills, furnaces, fuel-burning space heaters, cooking ranges, water heaters (gas), portable generators, car and truck engines, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves.

If the appliances are not working properly or are used in enclosed spaces, they can put you at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. You shouldn't, for example, use your charcoal grill in your house or in a closed garage. Carbon monoxide can build up to high and dangerous levels. Riding in the back of an enclosed pick up can cause you to get CO poisoning. In a fire, the smoke you inhale can contain too much carbon dioxide, especially in a closed space.

Those who are more susceptible to getting poisoned from carbon monoxide include unborn foetuses, older adults and the elderly, infants, smokers, those with anaemia, heart disease or respiratory diseases.

Complications of carbon monoxide poisoning depend on the length and amount of exposure. Complications include permanent brain damage, heart damage that can occur even years post exposure, and death due to hypoxia.

Testing for carbon monoxide poisoning involves taking a very careful history and physical examination. A blood test for carbon monoxide is available and, if this is high, the patient will need some form of treatment for the condition.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is considered a medical emergency. Treatment is designed around replacing the carbon monoxide with pure oxygen. Doctors give 100 percent oxygen and support the body while the oxygen replaces the carbon monoxide. A mask is used to deliver as much oxygen as possible. In some cases, hyperbaric oxygen is used to deliver high density oxygen in a chamber that more quickly replaces the carbon monoxide with oxygen. The air pressure can be more than twice that of normal atmospheric pressure. This works faster than just giving 100 percent oxygen.