Carbon monoxide is a type of toxic gas that has no smell or taste and therefore, when released into the environment, can cause serious poisoning and, without warning, endanger life.
This type of gas is usually produced by burning certain types of fuels, such as gas, oil, wood or coal, and as a result, it is more common for carbon monoxide poisoning to occur in winter, when radiators or fireplaces are used to attempt ambient heat within the house.
- Therefore.
- It is very important to know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Identify early possible poisonings and initiate appropriate treatment.
- As well as to know what situations can lead to the production of carbon monoxide in an attempt to prevent them and thus prevent accidental poisoning.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
Symptoms are more severe in those that are closer to the source of carbon monoxide production.In addition, the more the gas is breathed, the more severe the symptoms, until the person finally loses consciousness and faints, which can occur up to 2 hours later.the start of the exhibition.
Even when there is low concentration of carbon monoxide in the air, prolonged exposure can cause symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, mood swings and loss of coordination.
When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it reaches the lungs and dilutes it in the blood, where it is mixed with hemoglobin, an important component of the blood that transports oxygen to different organs.
When this happens, hemoglobin is called carboxyhemoglobin and is no longer able to carry oxygen from the lungs to the organs, which eventually affects the functioning of the entire body and can even cause permanent brain damage.When poisoning is very long or intense, this lack of oxygen can be life-threatening.
Whenever carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, it is important to
If the person is unconscious and unable to breathe, a cardiac resuscitation massage should be initiated, which should be performed as follows:
Hospital evaluation is usually done with a blood test that evaluates the percentage of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood; values greater than 30% usually indicate severe poisoning, which should be treated in the hospital with oxygen administration until carboxyhemoglobin values are less than 10%.
While poisoning from this type of gas is difficult to identify because it has no smell or taste, there are some tips that can prevent it from happening.
The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is higher in infants, children and the elderly, but this can happen to anyone, even the fetus, in the case of a pregnant woman, because fetal cells absorb carbon monoxide faster than an adult.