Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Carbon monoxide poisoning is intoxication caused by inhaling carbon monoxide gas. A basic distinction is made between acute and chronic carbon monoxide intoxication. The acute form can lead to a life-threatening condition within a very short time.

Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless and has a chemical structure similar to oxygen. When too much carbon monoxide is inhaled, not enough oxygen can be transported to the body’s tissues. This is potentially fatal.

causes

The blood component hemoglobin is responsible for the transport of oxygen. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it binds to hemoglobin with a significantly higher affinity than oxygen . This chemical reaction leads to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin. This hemoglobin cannot bind oxygen, causing the oxygen content in the blood to drop. As a result, the body is not supplied with sufficient oxygen.There is no CO in normal breathing air. The respiratory toxin is mainly produced during combustion processes. Possible causes of CO poisoning are fires in closed rooms as well as stoves and fireplaces that are defective. In addition, carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when inhaling car exhaust fumes in a confined space as part of a suicide attempt.

In addition, the concentration of carbon monoxide is naturally increased in mines or caves. People who stay in such places for a long time can also suffer from carbon monoxide intoxication. In rare cases, carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by defective scuba equipment on diving trips. Heavy smokers and hookah users can also suffer from mild CO intoxication.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• nausea

• confusion

• headache

• dizziness

• fainting

• Cough

• Vomit

Typical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are nausea, confusion, headache, dizziness and fainting. In the chronic form of intoxication, only mild symptoms often occur, which are very unspecific. Those affected often suffer from general malaise in these cases. In the advanced stage, irregular breathing, coughing, confusion, vomiting and ultimately unconsciousness often occur.

Sometimes seizures and heart failure also occur. From a proportion of 25% carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, the first symptoms of poisoning appear. If the proportion of carboxyhemoglobin exceeds 50%, the affected person loses consciousness. Above 60% death occurs. Acute carbon monoxide poisoning can be recognized, among other things, by an unnatural red coloring of the lips and skin.

The course of CO poisoning depends on the severity of the poisoning. If the concentration of CO in the breathing air is high, death can occur within a few minutes. If the danger is recognized in good time, the course can be assessed as positive.

Diagnose

Carbon monoxide intoxication is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. At the beginning of the poisoning, the symptoms are usually so unspecific that carbon monoxide poisoning is not even considered. After all, there are many possible causes of symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and nausea. However, an experienced doctor can make a suspected diagnosis based on the symptoms. A blood test is performed to confirm this. If CO intoxication is suspected, the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood is determined . Once diagnosed, it must be determined what caused the carbon monoxide poisoning.

treatment and therapy

Treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning depends on the severity of the symptoms. Mild poisoning with mild or no symptoms usually does not require treatment. In such cases, only the cause of the intoxication should be identified to prevent more severe intoxication. This is the case, for example, when there is heavy traffic in a large city at certain times.

If CO escapes in a building, all residents must go or be taken to fresh air immediately. In case of unconsciousness, a rescue operation takes place. Since the rescuers are also exposed to carbon monoxide indoors, they have to be ventilated with oxygen for some time after the deployment. This will prevent further complications and discomfort.

Because carbon monoxide poisoning is potentially life-threatening, those affected must be hospitalized immediately. The therapy consists mainly of ventilation with oxygen. If the patient is unconscious, they must be intubated. The doctor pushes a thin tube into the patient’s windpipe and uses it to ventilate the patient.

Furthermore, CO intoxication can be treated in a decompression chamber. In a hyperbaric chamber, the carbon monoxide content in the blood is broken down more quickly than under normal pressure conditions. However, this type of therapy is not always available because decompression chambers are not available everywhere. After the first measures to stabilize the patient, further monitoring of the vital functions must be carried out. If it is a suicide attempt, further treatment is provided by a psychiatrist.

prevention

The risk of suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning can be greatly reduced by taking safety measures. For example, incinerators should be inspected regularly. This prevents CO from escaping due to a defect. In larger buildings such as office complexes, the carbon monoxide concentration should be measured again and again in order to identify a hazard at an early stage.People who work in vulnerable professions should, if possible, wear a breathing mask when entering risky situations. This applies, for example, to firefighters. In addition, the filling of scuba tanks should always be done with the utmost care.