Carbon monoxide is a cunning poisoner. It imperceptibly and very quickly affects the human body, binding hemoglobin in the blood. The consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning are severe diseases of the nervous system and respiratory organs. And untimely assistance to the victims can cause their death.
Carbon monoxide poisoning - symptoms
There are several degrees of carbon monoxide poisoning, manifested by symptoms of varying intensity:
- The first degree of poisoning is mild. It is accompanied by pain in the frontal and temporal part of the head of the compressive nature, nausea, sensation of perspiration in the throat, dizziness, rarely vomiting, shortness of breath, dry cough, discomfort in the heart.
- The second degree is the average severity of poisoning. Its signs are increased symptoms of the first degree of poisoning, as well as loss of consciousness (2 to 20 minutes), blanching of the skin, disruption of the central nervous system.
- The third degree is heavy. With such poisoning, there is a prolonged loss of consciousness or coma, lasting from several hours to several days. Cramps may occur. The skin first acquires scarlet, and after a while - a cyanotic shade.
How to treat carbon monoxide poisoning?
The first aid for carbon monoxide poisoning is the removal of the source of gas from the victim and the organization of the receipt of as much oxygen as possible. Simply put, you need clean fresh air. If the victim is unconscious, artificial respiration should be performed prior to the arrival of the ambulance. In some cases, an indirect heart massage may be necessary. To avoid poisoning in the premises where the source of carbon monoxide is located, rescuers use a respirator. If you do not have one, you can breathe through a handkerchief or folded in several layers of gauze.
In a hospital setting, treatment with carbon monoxide poisoning begins with the determination of the amount of bound hemoglobin in the blood (carboxyhemoglobin). The patient is then placed in a pressure chamber and resumes free airway. The condition of the victim is complicated by an airway burn if carbon monoxide poisoning occurs during a fire. This entails swelling of the respiratory system - a dangerous condition that sometimes requires surgical intervention. Treatment of symptoms of poisoning is carried out by appropriate drugs, depending on the severity of the condition of the victim.
Acute carbon monoxide poisoning
With a high concentration of carbon monoxide in the room after 30 minutes. acute poisoning occurs. This is an extremely difficult condition, accompanied by a prolonged coma (several days) or, in case of inadequate medical care, a fatal outcome. Most often, acute carbon monoxide poisoning occurs in an apartment where a small area does not prevent the accumulation of carbon monoxide. In acute poisoning, the most difficult is restoring the breathing of the victim. Therefore, before the arrival of an ambulance, you should immediately begin heart massage in conjunction with artificial respiration.
Causes of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
The most frequent cases of carbon monoxide poisoning occur due to the negligence of the victims themselves:
- incorrect installation and operation of heating and heating equipment in residential premises (gas columns, boilers, stoves and plates with reverse thrust);
- non-compliance with fire safety measures;
- long stay or sleep in a closed car with a working stove.
The inhalation of smoke in case of fire or with intensive exhaust of automotive gases in enclosed spaces contributes to rapid and acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Therefore, in emergency situations, you should try to protect the airways as best as possible.