The Center for Disease Control indicates that if a person is exposed to carbon monoxide, they can have symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of unintentional death from poison in the United States. By merely breathing the gas, people can become seriously ill, have brain damage and/or die. Carbon monoxide becomes especially dangerous when it is allowed to build up in small, enclosed places. Exposure to the organic solvent dichlormethane found in some paint strippers has likewise been found to be a cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. Riding in the back of pickups has also cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Generally carbon monoxide is found where there are combustible fumes such as in faulty furnaces and heating systems, vehicles (including cars, boats, trucks, tractor trailers) small gasoline engines, generators, gas stoves, gas lanterns, burning charcoal and/or wood, house fires, and gasoline powered tools. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and non irritating gas that can cause sudden illness or death. It is a product of incomplete combustion of organic matter with insufficient oxygen supply to enable complete oxidation of carbon dioxide (CO 2). Real-world effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae after carbon monoxide poisoning.Carbon monoxide (CO) is toxic gas and is known as the silent killer. Carbon monoxide questions and answers.Carbon monoxide poisoning: Frequently asked questions.You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. ![]() We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. This is not the same as Parkinson’s disease but can result in physical stiffness, slow movements, and shaking. Very rarely, CO poisoning can also cause Parkinsonism. In severe cases, a person may also experience urinary or fecal incontinence. Heart damage, including coronary heart disease, can result from prolonged exposure. Typically, the longer an individual is exposed to CO, the more severe the symptoms will become.ĬO poisoning can cause severe brain damage, and it may cause a progressive worsening of memory and concentration. ![]() Short-term exposure to CO can also cause death in severe circumstances. Short-term effects of CO exposure can include: ![]() Short term effectsįollowing CO exposure, a person may notice that something is wrong, but they may not know where the symptoms are coming from. Because CO more easily occupies the space where oxygen would bind, its presence means that less oxygen can enter the hemoglobin.Īs a result, parts of the body will experience oxygen starvation, and the affected parts may die. HBOT may be necessary for people experiencing a loss or reduction of oxygen supply, a person in a coma, individuals with a history of loss of consciousness, those with an unusual ECG reading or reduced brain activity, and those who are pregnant.Īccording to a 2012 study, CO binds to hemoglobin over 220% more easily than oxygen does. This treatment floods the blood with pure oxygen to compensate for the lack of oxygen caused by CO gas poisoning. If a medical professional suspects nerve damage or if exposure to CO has been extensive, they may recommend hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Learn more about hemoglobin and hemoglobin levels here. This can speed up the production of oxygen-carrying proteins in red blood cells, known as oxyhemoglobin, which helps to replace CO-carrying hemoglobin, called carboxyhemoglobin. Hospital treatments include the delivery of 100% oxygen through a mask. If a person’s symptoms are severe, they may require hospitalization. A medical professional will be able to assess symptoms accurately. The first step is to move away from the possible CO gas source and contact medical services.
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