Carbon monoxide is produced through the burning of wood, gas, charcoal or other fuel. This gas is odorless, tasteless and colorless, making it invisible to the naked eye and hard to detect without specialized equipment. Over exposure to carbon monoxide can cause it to replace the oxygen in your blood, leading to numerous health problems and even death. Nowadays our chance of excessive carbon monoxide exposure is much higher than before. If this has happened to you, then carbon monoxide poisoning treatments are really helpful.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
There are numerous signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, which include but are not limited to:
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Dull headaches
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of consciousness
The extent of damage done to a person who has been exposed to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide is dependent on the length and degree of exposure. Extended periods of exposure can lead to:
- Brain damage (often permanent)
- The possibility of developing a life threatening cardiac complication
- Death
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Treatments You Should Know
As you may be becoming aware of, carbon monoxide poisoning is no joke and it is imperative to seek urgent medical attention and acquire treatment. Below is a list of effective treatments for carbon monoxide poisoning.
1. Initial Treatment
The first thing you should do after a dangerous exposure to carbon monoxide is to get to clean, fresh air immediately and call the emergency services if any of the symptoms mentioned above begin to develop. If a victim is struggling to breathe properly, then perform CPR immediately. If no one else is around, first do CPR for about a minute and then call an ambulance; if someone else is around, have them call an ambulance whilst you perform CPR. Continue to perform CPR until emergency help arrives, or until you begin to breathe normal once again.
2. Standard Oxygen Therapy
A pure oxygen mask will most likely be given to you by the emergency services. This can help deliver pure oxygen to your lungs. If proper breathing is the problem, a ventilator may help you breathe and get the needed oxygen.
3. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
This carbon monoxide poisoning treatment is recommended in many cases, and involves sitting in a chamber of pure oxygen, which has an air pressure2-3 times higher than normal. This process helps to speed up the process of replacing carbon monoxide with oxygen in your blood.
How Long Does It Take for You to Recover?
The amount of time taken to recovery from carbon monoxide poisoning depends on the extent of your exposure and the methods of carbon monoxide treatment employed. Carbon monoxide leaves the body in the same way it gets in. Through breathing fresh air, it may make about 4-6 hours to remove half of the inhaled carbon monoxide. This time can be decreased by using some of the methods mentioned above, such as inhaling pure oxygen.
How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be dangerous as the gas is hard to detect. Follow the steps to lower your risk and the abovementioned carbon monoxide poisoning treatments may be never needed.
- To prevent you or your family from becoming affected, the installation of carbon monoxide detectors is advised.
- Enduring to avoid burning anything indoors will also help prevent the dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide.
- Ensure that all fuel-burning appliances have been installed correctly, and consistently check the vents for any potential blockages.
- It is also advisable to have your home inspected to ensure it is safe.
- Motor vehicles pose a potential risk as they produce a fair amount of carbon monoxide which is expelled from the exhaust. Ensure to never have your car running in enclosed areas, such as garages. If your car is stationary with a running engine, ensure to have windows slightly open to promote the flow of air.