Co Poisoning Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide, also called CO, is a poisonous gas. It has no odor, no taste, and no color . Carbonmonoxide poisoning is a life-threatening condition caused by inhaling too much CO.

What is going on in the body?

CO is produced when a fuel is burned. Fuels include gas, oil, kerosene, charcoal, or wood.CO may be found in a number of items that people come in contact with each day. These include:

leaking exhaust systems from internal-combustion engines or motor-powered vehicles

sewers

cellars

mines

faulty gas stoves or heating systems without good ventilation

fires

industrial plants

cigarette smoking,or breathing in secondhand smoke

If fresh air is limited and CO is released in the air, it can reach a dangerouslyhigh level. When CO is inhaled, it enters the bloodstream and attaches to a blood cell protein calledhemoglobin. Hemoglobin helps blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. If COattaches to hemoglobin, the blood cells can’t carry oxygen. The body then can’t function in a healthyway.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

CO poisoning can occur when small amounts of CO are inhaled over a long time. It can alsooccur when large amounts of CO are absorbed over a short time, especially in a closed setting such as agarage or car.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Symptoms linked with CO poisoning include:

a cherry-red skin color due to the mixture of hemoglobin and CO in the blood

confusion

dilated pupils and visualimpairments

dizziness

headache

a heartbeat that is either too fastor too slow

muscle spasms, paralysis, twitching, or convulsions

muscle weakness

nausea andvomiting

palpitations, whichis when a person can feel the heart beating in the chest

ringing in the ears

trouble breathing, called shortness ofbreath

loss of consciousness, known as coma

How is the condition diagnosed?

A history of activity or illness as well as a complete physical exam help the doctor to diagnose thiscondition. A series of blood tests called an arterial blood gastest can measure the oxygen and CO levels in the blood. Other blood or X-ray tests can check theextent of the CO poisoning and rule out other conditions.

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Since CO is odorless and colorless, a person may not realize he or she is aroundharmful levels of CO. The following actions can help prevent CO poisoning:

keep appliances in proper working order

use appliances in the right way and have them checked regularly

make sure there is lots of fresh air before using gas-powered engines or chemicals such aspaint remover

have chimneys checked to be sure the flue is open and connected in the correct manner beforeusing a fireplace

never leave a car in idle when it is inside a garage

don’t sleep in a room with a gas or kerosene space heater if it is not properly vented

install CO detectors in the house as a backup

move into a well-ventilated area if any CO poisoning symptoms develop

call the local gas company if there is a suspected gas leak in the home

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Long-term effects of CO exposure depend on the extent of the poisoning and howquickly it is treated. Long-term effects may include damage to the brain, heart, or lungs.There may also be short-term memory loss. These effects usually improve over time but may be lasting.

What are the risks to others?

Any persons near the person who has CO poisoning mayalso have been exposed to the CO, and should be checked by their doctors.

What are the treatments for the condition?

First, the person needs to be moved away from the CO and into fresh air.Further treatment depends on the extent of poisoning, but may include:

Oxygenthrough a tight-fitting mask

intravenous fluids

medicines such as steroids

a ventilator, which is anartificial breathing machine

sedatives to decrease any excitability caused by the CO buildup in the body

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Side effects will depend on the treatments used. For instance, steroids may causeirritability, weight gain,or stomach upset. A ventilatorcan cause lasting lung problems.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

Often a person will get better with no need for further treatment.Physical therapy orother treatments may be needed for problems such as paralysis andmemory loss.

How is the condition monitored?

Close monitoring is needed in cases of CO poisoning. Some peopleexperience delayed symptoms, such as:

confusion

fatigue

memory loss

weakness

Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the doctor.