Dorothy FarrarSmoke inhalation
Smoke inhalation is poisoning from smoke, which is most often caused by fires, but can also have other causes. Medical treatment is necessary in any case to make the course positive.
What is smoke inhalation?
Smoke inhalation is poisoning caused by certain substances found in fire smoke. The poisoning usually occurs during sleep, since the respiratory toxins are odorless and therefore do not wake up the person concerned. Smoke poisoning is therefore often fatal, but can be brought under control with early treatment. Those affected can recognize smoke poisoning by clear symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness and headaches. Seizures and tachycardia are also clear symptoms.
causes
Smoke poisoning is caused by fires of all kinds. Most of these are building fires, the smoke from which is quickly fatal due to respiratory toxins such as carbon monoxide. Other factors also play a role in whether and how quickly smoke inhalation occurs. For example, the position of the victim in the building, the amount of smoke that is inhaled and the burned substances.
Another cause of smoke inhalation is inhaling large amounts of exhaust gases. Tunnel workers and people who are confronted with exhaust gases or smoke in closed rooms are particularly at risk. People who come into contact with defective stoves or boilers also often suffer from smoke poisoning. The actual smoke inhalation usually occurs due to the respiratory poison cyanide. This occurs when a wide variety of objects are burned and causes the body’s cells to become blocked. This creates a lack of oxygen and as a result internal suffocation.
So there are a number of causes that are responsible for smoke inhalation. The symptoms that occur in the course of poisoning are just as varied.
When to the doctor?
Smoke inhalation leads to a lack of oxygen, which can lead to sweating and feelings of weakness and dizziness. So alarm signals are all forms of disorientation, confusion and anxiety or memory loss. In these cases, you should consult a doctor immediately.
Dizziness, nausea, coughing and headaches are the first symptoms of exposure to smoke. They can subside quickly, especially if caused by carbon dioxide poisoning, but can also be a sign of carbon monoxide poisoning (one of the most common forms of smoke inhalation and much more dangerous). Continued exposure to carbon monoxide poisoning can rapidly lead to respiratory failure and unconsciousness . In such a case, the emergency services must be called immediately.
Even if you only have mild symptoms and are not sure whether you have even become a victim of smoke poisoning, it is advisable to consult a doctor to rule out long-term effects.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of smoke inhalation:
Smoke inhalation is associated with numerous symptoms. Those affected usually feel shortness of breath and a strong urge to cough. They also experience dizziness, lightheadedness and sometimes severe headaches. Seizures, sweating and severe anxiety are also common symptoms. In the course of the poisoning, there is rapid heartbeat and finally unconsciousness.
Pulmonary edema and other diseases occur in the last stage of poisoning and are almost always fatal. The course of smoke inhalation depends on how severe the poisoning is and what symptoms occur. The timing of the intervention also influences the course. If you react quickly, the course can generally be assessed as positive, while untreated smoke inhalation leads to death after a short time. On-site treatment is therefore usually necessary to save the person concerned.
Diagnose
Smoke inhalation quickly leads to unconsciousness. The diagnosis is therefore based on the external appearance of the patient and is usually provisional. Since mobile doctors cannot determine the cyanide concentration in the blood, a suspected diagnosis is usually made and treatment is then initiated immediately. The diagnosis is usually clear based on the circumstances.
For example, treating physicians and people who come to an open fire can assume that unconscious people have suffered from smoke inhalation. The situation is different if the smoke poisoning was caused by gases in factory buildings or in other situations. A diagnosis can then only be made by trained specialists.
treatment and therapy
Smoke inhalation requires immediate treatment. Since the respiratory poison cyanide cannot be detected on site, general emergency medical measures are initiated. This keeps the oxygen supply as free as possible and stabilizes the cardiovascular system. In addition, the patient is supplied with fluids. Seizures are also treated by emergency medicine.
If there is a suspicion that the respiratory poison cyanide is involved in the smoke inhalation, the doctor treating you must administer an appropriate antidote. This is usually done via an infusion and ensures that the cyanide is neutralized. Cardiovascular and respiratory arrest that occurs as a result of smoke inhalation must be treated with resuscitation measures. A heart-lung massage is just as possible here as a breath donation. This is usually followed by artificial respiration.
After emergency medical treatment at the scene of the incident, the person concerned must recover in the hospital. In addition, it may be necessary to seek therapeutic treatment in order to process the situation. Long-term effects such as damaged lung tissue usually have to be treated using special treatment methods.
prevention
Smoke poisoning can be effectively prevented by equipping the apartment with fire alarms. In the event of a fire, these alert the fire brigade and sometimes also the emergency doctor, thus making it possible to treat smoke poisoning at an early stage. People who come into contact with toxic gases, smoke or other substances professionally or privately should always ensure adequate respiratory protection. In addition to a face mask, a first aid kit must also be available.
The other measures are limited to reacting quickly in the event of a fire with smoke development and not panicking. If you leave the scene immediately and without inhaling the smoke, the risk of smoke inhalation is significantly lower.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.