CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

BAsic information

description

Breathing in carbon monoxide (CO), a poison gas that has no color or smell. CO is produced when gas or wood is burned. Common sources include smoke from fires, motor vehicle or boat exhaust, space heaters, furnaces, charcoal grills, and gas-burning appliances.

frequent signs and symptoms

• The first symptoms may be mild and flu-like.
• Headache, feeling dizzy and tired.
• Nausea and vomiting; stomach pain.
• Feeling like you might faint, trouble with walking.
• Difficulty breathing, chest pain, and changes in heartbeat.
• Seizure.
• Vision changes.
• Confusion, depression, and other behavior changes.
• Coma, loss of consciousness.

causes

Carbon monoxide is breathed into the lungs. It gets into the blood system and prevents the flow of oxygen that the body needs for survival. It is the most common form of accidental poisoning in the United States.

risk increases with

• Furnaces or space-heating devices that do not work properly; a fireplace with a clogged chimney.
• Riding in the back of a pickup truck under a closed cover of some type.
• Poor venting (exhaust fumes escape into buildings or homes).
• Use of charcoal grill in enclosed place, such as a tent.
• Faulty motor vehicle exhaust system, or leaving a car running in a garage attached to a house.
• Winter months when heaters are in use and houses are more closed up.

preventive measures

• Avoid the risk factors where you are able.
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm in your home. If it goes off, leave the house right away and call 911.
• Make sure the furnace, fireplaces, gas appliances, and heaters in your home work properly. Call your gas company if you think there may be a gas leak.
• Use products that will help prevent fires in your home (e.g., smoke alarms, fire extinguishers).

expected outcomes

• In milder cases with quick treatment, recovery is complete and without complications.
• Some patients have delayed symptoms weeks later. They may feel extraordinarily tired, have memory problems, feel confused, or have mood and behavior changes.

POSsible complications

• Poisoning can result in damage to the brain, heart, or lungs; and death. Children, the elderly, and those with lung disease are at high risk for adverse effects.
• Pregnant women may suffer miscarriage, early labor, or loss of the embryo/fetus.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider will do a physical exam and test your blood for carbon monoxide. Other medical tests may be done for more severe symptoms.
• This type of poisoning can not be treated at home. Medical care is needed. For mild cases, the symptoms usually disappear after you breathe in pure oxygen through a mask for a few hours.
• Some patients with more severe symptoms will require the use of breathing support in a hospital.
• Rarely, a patient is placed in a sealed chamber where high-pressure oxygen is used for treatment.
• To learn more: Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772, or visit the Medline Plus website at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carbonmonoxidepoisoning.html.

medications

Usually not needed. Drugs may be used for seizures if they occur.

activity

Limits will depend on how severe the symptoms are.

diet

No special diet.

notify our office if

• You or a family member has symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Symptoms get worse, recur, or new symptoms occur after recovery.