People who smoke can often have higher than normal levels of carboxyhaemoglobin in their blood, which can sometimes make it difficult to interpret the results.
Mild carbon monoxide poisoning does not usually need hospital treatment, but it's still important that you seek medical advice. Standard oxygen therapy in hospital will be needed if you have been exposed to a high level of carbon monoxide, or you have symptoms that suggest exposure. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy HBOT floods the body with pure oxygen, helping it overcome the oxygen shortage caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. There's currently not enough evidence about the long-term effectiveness of HBOT for treating severe cases of carbon monoxide poisoning.
HBOT may be recommended in certain situations — for example, if there's been extensive exposure to carbon monoxide and nerve damage is suspected. Its use is decided on a case-by-case basis. The length of time it takes to recover from carbon monoxide poisoning will depend on how much carbon monoxide you have been exposed to and how long you have been exposed to it. Prolonged significant exposure to carbon monoxide can cause serious complications, including brain damage and heart problems.
It can also cause vision loss and hearing loss. In rare cases, severe carbon monoxide poisoning can cause Parkinsonism, which is characterised by tremors , stiffness and slow movement. Parkinsonism is not the same as Parkinson's disease , which is a degenerative neurological condition linked to ageing. Coronary heart disease is another serious condition that can develop as a result of long-term carbon monoxide exposure. Coronary heart disease is where the heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances atheroma in the coronary arteries.
If the blood supply is restricted, it can cause angina chest pains. If the coronary arteries become completely blocked, it can cause a heart attack. It's important to be aware of the dangers and identify any appliances in your house that could potentially leak carbon monoxide. Boilers, cookers, heating systems and appliances should be installed and regularly serviced by a reputable, registered engineer.
Anyone carrying out work on installations and appliances in your home must be registered with a relevant association, such as the:. It's very important to be aware of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and to look out for warning signs. These symptoms may include nausea, dizziness, and unconsciousness. Quick treatment is essential to prevent life-threatening complications. Treatment may involve:. The best way to treat CO poisoning is to breathe in pure oxygen.
This treatment increases oxygen levels in the blood and helps to remove CO from the blood. Your doctor will place an oxygen mask over your nose and mouth and ask you to inhale.
Your doctor may temporarily place you in a pressurized oxygen chamber also known as a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. The oxygen chamber has twice the pressure of normal air. You should never treat CO poisoning yourself.
If you believe you have CO poisoning, go outdoors immediately and call Researchers may have antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning ». Discover why gasoline exposure can be dangerous for your health. Learn about gasoline poisoning, carbon monoxide poisoning, when to seek help, and…. Some foods contain ingredients and chemicals that are harmful in large amounts.
People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms. Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. Infants, the elderly, people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from CO.
Each year, more than Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20, visit the emergency room, and more than 4, are hospitalized. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. If symptoms are severe, the person may be hospitalized. Hospital treatment includes percent oxygen delivered through a mask, to speed up the production of oxyhemoglobin, as this will replace the carboxyhemoglobin.
If the physician suspects nerve damage, or if exposure to CO has been extensive, hyperbaric oxygen therapy HBOT may be offered. This treatment floods the blood with pure oxygen, to compensate for the lack of oxygen caused by the CO gas poisoning. HBOT may be given to patients whose oxygen supply was reduced or cut off, a patient in a coma , individuals with a history of loss of consciousness, those with an unusual ECG reading or reduced brain activity, and pregnant women.
Brain damage can occur, and it may cause a progressive worsening of memory and concentration. These include stiffness, slow movements, and shaking.
Heart damage, including coronary heart disease , can result, especially if a person is exposed over a long time. Urinary incontinence can develop in women with severe CO gas poisoning. Keep appliances in good working order, and use them safely. Have them serviced regularly by a qualified and registered professional. Some detectors have a digital readout. Others give out a loud, high-pitched sound when levels of CO pass a certain limit.
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, long-term exposure to 1 to 70 ppm of CO will not normally cause any harm, but people with heart problems may have chest pain. Levels of over 70 ppm may cause noticeable symptoms, and if they reach above to ppm, they may cause disorientation, unconsciousness, and death.
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