2006-08-22 18:40:03 · 10 answers · asked by ginny 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. But the danger it poses is real. Carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in your blood and the consequences can be fatal.
Carbon monoxide is produced by appliances and other devices that burn gas, petroleum products, wood and other fuels. Sometimes carbon monoxide can accumulate to dangerous levels in your car, home or other poorly ventilated areas.
Signs and symptoms
A dull headache is the most common early symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning. Other signs and symptoms may include:
Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Chest pain
Confusion
Irritability
Impaired judgment
Loss of consciousness
The goal of treatment is to replace the carbon monoxide in your blood with oxygen. In the hospital, you may breathe pure oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth. This helps oxygen reach your organs and tissues. If you can't breathe on your own, a machine (ventilator) may do the breathing for you.
In some cases, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is recommended. With this therapy, you're placed in a full-body pressurized chamber. Inside the chamber, air pressure is more than twice as high as normal atmospheric pressure. This speeds the removal of carbon monoxide from your blood.
If you were poisoned in your home, it's important to find and repair the source of the carbon monoxide before you return. Your local fire department or utility company can help.
If you suspect you've been exposed to carbon monoxide, get into fresh air immediately and seek emergency medical care. If possible, open windows and doors on the way out of the house.
2006-08-22 18:57:31 · answer #1 · answered by wynniefred 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See medical help as fast as humanly possible, and get away from the source of carbon monoxide and into fresh air ASAP.
Carbon monoxide attaches to our red blood cells very easily and binds to the hemoglobin making it unable to carry oxygen to our tissues. Sometimes a "diving chamber" is used to force oxygen in and the carbond dioxide out of cells.
Even though they are starving for oxygen, those exposed to carbon monoxide may be very pink or "cherry red" because the substance has this color. Never assume that if they aren't pale of bluish that there is not dangerous poisoning going on.
2006-08-22 18:46:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to the hospital. They will draw blood and if the levels are too high then they will send you to a hospital that has a hyperbaric chamber (the same type of thing that scuba divers use to decompress when they have been in very deep waters) for therapy. If it is a work related poisoning....OSHA will be involved.
2006-08-22 18:49:46 · answer #3 · answered by cornerstonefaith1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Breath fresh air..
Stay away from the source of Carbon monoxide..
If you are still conscious then you probably don't need
anything more than some nice fresh air...
2006-08-22 18:47:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to the hospital!
2006-08-22 18:49:27 · answer #5 · answered by kitty_kats06 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best=hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Second best=normal oxygen therapy.
2006-08-22 18:46:49 · answer #6 · answered by finaldx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are still awake, don't worry too much about it. It will resolve on its own over time.
If you are passed out and not breathing, then it's time to worry.
2006-08-22 18:41:54 · answer #7 · answered by double_nubbins 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to the hospital and get put on O2
2006-08-22 18:44:14 · answer #8 · answered by melindarix@sbcglobal.net 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hospital
2006-08-22 18:41:49 · answer #9 · answered by I love money 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can/should go to the hospital. is would be best. breathe.
2006-08-22 18:42:08 · answer #10 · answered by adrian_2oo32000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋