ok well last night at 2 am we had a fire in my moms room the flames were chest high it was caused by a cigarette (all u smokers think of that my mom would've died if my bro.sis.and i weren't home) we are all ok but i was wondering what are the affects of smoke inhalation My bro. put out the flames i got my mom(who was scared an wasn't moving in the center of the flames) and my sister just helped with the odds and ends.
My bro. coughed up black stuff and i puked but we want to know if anything else could happen.
2006-12-09 01:32:29 · 4 answers · asked by help:) 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
Coming from a Paramedic/Firefighter standpoint, you are all probably alright. You would have had to inhale large amounts of smoke for a very long time, and I believe this was not the case in your experience. However, if you feel aprehensive about it, get checked at your local ER to be sure. I have been in fires where I have coughed up black sputum and vomited, sometimes lasting for a day or 2. Some people can handle it better than others. I am assuming you are all young, and that could be a benefit, as younger people have more efficient immune systems. Here is a bit of information for you to read briefly. It may make your decision to be treated or not a little easier.
It is estimated that "50-80% of fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation injuries rather than burns. The smoke injures or kills by a combination of thermal damage, poisoning and pulmonary irritation caused by carbon monoxide, cyanide and other combustion products. Symptoms range from coughing and vomiting to nausea, sleepiness and confusion. Burns to the nose, mouth and face; singed nostril hairs; and difficulty breathing / carbonateous sputum (burned saliva) are also signs of smoke inhalation injury.
Any person with apparent signs of smoke inhalation should be immediately evaluated by a medical professional such as a firefighter-paramedic or physician. Advanced medical care may be necessary to save the life of the patient, including mechanical ventilation, even if the person is conscious and alert. Pending advanced intervention, the patient should be brought into fresh air and given medical oxygen if available.
2006-12-09 01:50:14 · answer #1 · answered by lyfsavr67medic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as he doesn't have asthma, he should be okay. It will take a while to cough up that black stuff and blow it out the nose and chest. Hopefully you'll all stop smoking cause its worse than the one day of fire chaos. Its best to not consume drugs, alchohol, or smoke while getting that crud out. It should feel wierd for a couple weeks until its all gone from your system, and if it persists, go see a doctor.
2006-12-10 12:57:44 · answer #2 · answered by Le Nuez Vert` 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is called carbon monoxide poisioning. I am glad that every one made it out okay. I would honestly have to say you might need to ask the doctor who was treating your family during this incident. I hope this helps.
2006-12-09 04:30:26 · answer #3 · answered by ChrisandSheila L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everything you need to know about smoke inhalation
https://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/smoke_inhalation.jsp
2006-12-09 01:43:00 · answer #4 · answered by S H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋