Carbon monoxide poisoning

Common carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can kill you if you are exposed to high concentrations of it in the air or stay near a smoke source for long periods of time. It can cause loss of consciousness and kill if you are exposed to high concentrations of it in the air or stay near a smoke source for long periods of time.

After inhaling carbon monoxide, it enters your bloodstream, mixes with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin and carbon monoxide poisoning occurs. When this happens, the blood can no longer carry oxygen – leading to the death of body cells and tissues.

The first signs of carbon monoxide poisoning
In the case of carbon monoxide poisoning, the key signs are not always immediately identifiable, especially if the degree of damage is low. If the affected person is conscious, it is advisable to ask him or her what happened before the deterioration.

The main signs of poisoning are:

A throbbing throbbing in the temples;
sudden bouts of dizziness and wiggling;
a pulling pain in the joints of the muscles;
a feeling of sudden fatigue and depression;
stabbing pain in the lower chest;
sudden shortness of breath and heavy breathing.
If the gas is exhaled for a long time, the negative effects on the body will be irreversible. Movement coordination is impaired, loss of vision, hearing, and unconsciousness occur. Poisoning can occur within 60 minutes if there is a lot of heavy carbon monoxide around.

First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning should be given to the victim if the level of poisoning is low and the person has not been in the smoky room long.

In order to minimize the risk of poisoning, businesses and offices should have means for evacuation available.

What causes carbon monoxide poisoning?
Common sources are cars, fireplaces, wood stoves, kerosene heaters, charcoal grills and gas appliances such as water heaters, ovens and dryers. They don’t usually cause problems. The problem comes when:

Cars, trucks or other engines are left running in enclosed areas such as garages. Carbon monoxide can build up in the garage and leak back into the house.
Fuel appliances are used improperly. Dangerous concentrations of carbon monoxide gradually build up inside the home or apartment.
Solid fuel heating systems (stoves or fireplaces) are used in cold weather when doors and windows are closed. Air movement in straight flues or hoods in buildings is blocked due to lack of draft.
First Aid for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Following simple first aid rules for severe poisoning will help neutralize some of the carbon monoxide gas in the body and reduce the threat to the life of the injured person while waiting for rescuers

Remove the person from the intended area and take them to an open space.
call an ambulance or emergency services at 112;
notify the neighbors of the apartment or house;
stay with the person and encourage him or her to breathe deeply and evenly;
monitor his or her condition and be prepared to give mouth-to-mouth breathing;
administer a carbon monoxide antidote (a drug called neuroglobin or similar).
Preventing the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning
Standard hospital oxygen therapy will be required if the person has been exposed to high levels and concentrations of carbon monoxide. It is carried out in a hospital or specialized vehicle under medical supervision and is designed to remove the poisoned air from the lungs as quickly as possible.

During therapy, air is administered through a tight-fitting oxygen mask and contains large amounts of oxygen. Inhaling concentrated oxygen allows the body to quickly change from carboxyhemoglobin to the normal form of hemoglobin.

Therapy usually continues until the carboxyhemoglobin level drops to 10%.

Knowing the causes of poisoning and the basics of first aid for carbon monoxide poisoning, you can successfully help the victim and save his life.