Live Life Team
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which is produced by partial combustion of fuel like oil, coal, gas, and wood. Carbon monoxide has no taste, smell, or colour. Hence, one may breathe in carbon monoxide without realizing it.
A fire burning in a closed room uses up all the oxygen available and carbon dioxide fills up the vacuum. As the fuel continues to burn, since oxygen is unavailable and carbon dioxide is present in the air, it burns partially and releases carbon monoxide.
Inhaling carbon monoxide is poisonous to health. If carbon monoxide is inhaled, it enters the blood where it combines with haemoglobin (a blood protein), causing carboxyhaemoglobin. This prevents blood from carrying oxygen and due to this, cells begin to die. Carboxyhaemoglobin affects the blood vessels and causes swelling of the brain, which leads to nerve damage and unconsciousness.
The common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are:
Headache.
Nausea or dizziness.
Feel tired or confused.
Some get sick (vomiting) and suffer from abdominal pain.
These symptoms may resemble food poisoning and flu, but in carbon monoxide poisoning, there is no fever.
DIAGNOSIS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Along with the above-mentioned symptoms, carbon monoxide poisoning is a possibility if:
Others in the house or surrounding areas like workplace suffer from similar symptoms.
Symptoms go away if you are away on a holiday and seems to return if you are back.
Seasonal symptoms as in headaches during winter when centralized heating is in place.
A blood sample can be obtained to detect carbon monoxide poisoning. An ECG or electrocardiogram can be done to see how well the heart is functioning.
TREATMENT
If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, moving away from the source of trouble can help in the assessment of the symptoms.
Too much exposure to the gas will require hospitalization. You will be fitted with an oxygen mask and made to inhale 100% oxygen. Normal air has about 21% oxygen. Oxygen enrichment will help blood cells replace carboxyhaemoglobin with oxyhaemoglobin quickly.
If there is nerve damage, hyperbaric oxygen therapy will be given within six hours of being poisoned. This is a treatment that saturates a person with pure oxygen and hence overcomes the shortage of oxygen. This treatment can be given to pregnant women, people in coma, or those with unusual ECG readings or lessened brain activity.
Complications
People more prone to carbon monoxide poisoning include
Infants.
Young children.
People with chronic cardiac or respiratory problems.
The complications of carbon monoxide poisoning include
Brain damage which could be permanent. Worsening memory or difficulty concentrating. Rarely, people develop Parkinsonism; symptoms include stiffness, slowness of movement, and shaking.
Heart damage. For example, coronary disease.
Urinary incontinence. Inability to control urine.
Some ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Make certain that the household appliances are secure and maintained well.
Ensure good ventilation in all rooms.
Use a safety mask when dealing with chemicals
Burn charcoal (as in barbeque) in a well ventilated room or outdoors.
