Ways of treating carbon monoxide poisoning

Fact Checked

Carbon monoxide poisoning happens when carbon monoxide accumulates in the blood stream. Generally, it is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas produced by burning wood, charcoal, propane and other fuel. Lack of proper ventilation of appliances and especially if it is an enclosed space can result to accumulation of carbon monoxide to a very high levels.

Causes

• Running car engine in an enclosed space emits gas in 10 minutes.
• Household appliances that use gas, oil, wood and coal such as boilers, central heating system, cookers, water heaters and open fires can cause poisoning if there is poor burning.
• Using not properly functioning old appliances are in a high risk of emitting gas such faulty air-conditioning units
• Burning charcoal
• Fumes from paint removers and cleaning fluids

  

• Handle properly products containing methylene chloride or dichloromethane. This chemical turns into carbon monoxide when inhaled.
• Blocked chimneys and car exhausts
• Lastly, smoking shisha pipes indoors

Symptoms

• At first, feeling of having flu but no changes in body temperature.
• Problems with vision
• Loss of balance
• Memory problems
• Losing consciousness
• Confusion
• In addition, coordination difficulties
• Lastly, heart damage

Treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning

• Move the affected person from the area with carbon monoxide.
• If the person becomes unconscious, check for injuries in the body.
• Turn off or remove the source of the carbon monoxide.
• If there is difficulty in breathing, start giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for children for an affected child, adult CPR for adults.
• The doctor suggests oxygen therapy via a mask over the mouth and the nose. Generally, it delivers oxygen to the organs and tissues. Another alternative if there is difficulty breathing a machine or ventilator to help with breathing.
• Pressurized oxygen chamber or hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Generally, this therapy uses pure oxygen inside a chamber with air pressure higher than the normal. It replaces carbon monoxide present in the blood with oxygen. This therapy is suitable for severe carbon monoxide poisoning. It protects the tissues of the brain and the heart because they are susceptible to injury. In addition, it can also be used by pregnant women to prevent injuries on the unborn baby.

Tips

• Use safely good working appliances and have them checked regularly by professional technicians.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors inside the house
• Turn off the car as soon upon entering the garage to prevent spread of the poison inside the house.
• Proper ventilation when cooking in an oven or fireplace. It should be properly vented to the outside of the house. The flue in the chimney is open for easy passage of the smoke outside.
• Avoid using generator that is powered by gas or cooking in a grill inside the house or garage.
• Avoid using gas ranges or oven for heating the house.
• The rooms are well ventilated and vents are not blocked.
• Lastly, clean chimneys and flues regularly.

Disclaimer / More Information

The material posted on this page on carbon monoxide poisoning is for learning purposes only. Learn to recognize the signs and how it is managed by taking a first aid and CPR class with one of our training providers.

FACT CHECK

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_poisoning

https://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/carbon-monoxide/symptoms-causes/syc-20370642