What to do in case of carbon monoxide poisoning?

What to do in case of carbon monoxide poisoning and what assistance to provide to the victim? Let's look at methods of providing assistance in case of carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as the causes and symptoms of poisoning.

Carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide is a substance that is formed due to incomplete combustion of any type of fuel. If the gas enters the blood, it takes over from oxygen, as it is 200 times lighter. It is because carbon monoxide is lighter that it actively binds to hemoglobin, which leads to the loss of the latter's ability to carry oxygen to tissues and vital organs. Due to the lack of oxygen, suffocation and death occur. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and be able to provide first aid to the victim.

Causes of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Any mechanism that runs on flammable fuel emits carbon monoxide. And due to malfunction or damage, problems may arise:

• If a car or other machinery is left running in a closed space, carbon monoxide will be released, filling all free space both in the car and outside it. The substance even seeps into the car seats, making them dangerous.
• Improper use or installation of appliances and mechanisms that burn flammable fuels may result in carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Poisoning can occur due to heating systems that are used in closed spaces during the cold season. If such a system is used in a new house with insulated windows and tightly closed doors, this will lead to the accumulation of carbon monoxide and poisoning. This also applies to older houses with faulty chimneys, which contribute to the stagnation of carbon monoxide in apartments and offices.

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Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Symptoms of poisoning may appear suddenly or manifest themselves over a long period of time. It is the inhalation of air with a low content of carbon monoxide over a long period of time that causes serious problems with the cardiovascular system and causes brain damage. If you notice a headache, rapid heartbeat, nausea and ringing in the ears when you are indoors, you need to immediately seek medical help. If as soon as you leave the room you feel better and similar symptoms are observed in other people who work or live with you in the same room, then this indicates a carbon monoxide leak.

• There are early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning or mild intoxication. These include: nausea and vomiting, trembling throughout the body, pulsation in the head, hearing problems, muscle weakness, fainting. Such symptoms require medical attention, especially if you continue to breathe carbon monoxide with the above symptoms.
• In cases of moderate intoxication, a person experiences short-term memory lapses, severe adynamia, tremors in the body, impaired coordination of movements, and an asthenic state.
• If severe intoxication occurs, a person develops a protracted comatose state, which can last longer than a week. Brain damage, convulsions, seizures, involuntary defecation and urination, muscle rigidity of the limbs and general hyperhidrosis occur. Patients have intermittent breathing, and a body temperature of 39-40 ° C. All this can lead to death due to respiratory paralysis. The prognosis for survival in such carbon monoxide poisoning is determined by the duration and depth of the comatose state.

In addition to the three degrees of carbon monoxide poisoning described above, there are other symptoms that indicate a pathological condition. Let's look at them:

• People with carbon monoxide poisoning may experience color blindness, optic nerve atrophy, and double vision.
• Hemorrhagic rashes, graying and hair loss, trophic skin lesions and other lesions of the scalp and skin.
• Damage to the respiratory and circulatory systems begins in the first hours of intoxication. The patient experiences tachycardia, coronary insufficiency, and pulse instability.
• At moderate and severe levels of intoxication, bronchitis, toxic pneumonia and pulmonary edema appear. Clinical symptoms are very scanty and develop to a pathological state within two days.
• The patient has a high content of red blood cells and hemoglobin, increased lactic acid, urea, sugar levels and acetone bodies.

There is chronic carbon monoxide poisoning. The symptoms of this condition are frequent headaches, dizziness, increased fatigue, and visual impairment. Chronic poisoning can lead to atherosclerosis and endocrine disorders. The symptoms of chronic intoxication are aggravated by physical exertion, noise, and vibration.

First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning

If any of your family members exhibit the above symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, you must act immediately. First of all, remove the victim from the gassed area and ensure continuous rest and access to fresh air. Rub the victim's body vigorously if the patient is conscious, give him warm tea and coffee to drink, put a cold compress on his chest and head. And be sure to call an ambulance.

If the victim is unconscious, this indicates severe poisoning. The patient's skin turns red. Breathing becomes frequent and shallow. Involuntary bowel movements are possible. Despite such symptoms, the patient's condition is reversible. First of all, take the victim out of the room with gas and call for help.

If the victim is not breathing, start immediate artificial ventilation of the lungs. For this, you can use the "mouth-to-mouth" or "mouth-to-nose" method. Please note that in order to avoid poisoning while providing first aid, it is recommended to put a gauze bandage or handkerchief soaked in water on the victim's mouth or nose. If there is no pulse, perform external cardiac massage. Resuscitation must be continued until the ambulance arrives.

• Poisoning by domestic gas

First aid in this case is similar to that provided for carbon monoxide poisoning. The patient is given access to oxygen, laid on a soft surface and given artificial respiration. It is very important to loosen the victim's collar and belt, that is, the constricting elements of clothing. Let the victim inhale ammonia. If the poisoning is severe, you need to call an ambulance. Doctors will improve the patient's condition with a special antidote and medications.

• Hydrogen sulfide poisoning

Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic nerve poison that causes hypoxia because it irritates the mucous membrane. First aid consists of opening the victim's access to air. The patient needs to wash his eyes and nose with clean water and apply cold compresses. If the victim still has pain in the eyes, then novocaine and dicatin should be instilled into the eyes. In case of prolonged pain in the upper respiratory tract and nasopharynx, the patient is shown rinsing with warm water and soda.

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Methods of preventing carbon monoxide poisoning

Every year, many people die from carbon monoxide poisoning due to ignorance of the symptoms of the disease and the inability to provide first aid. But there are preventive measures that can reduce the risk of poisoning, let's look at them:

• Check all devices and mechanisms that operate on flammable fuel. This will allow you to identify and eliminate the problem in time.
• Never leave a car with the engine running in a closed garage or swim in the back of a boat that is idling.
• Regularly ventilate rooms with poorly functioning ventilation systems to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

What to do in case of carbon monoxide poisoning is a very relevant question, since not everyone knows the methods of first aid and the main symptoms of poisoning. The above-described methods of preventing carbon monoxide poisoning will help prevent the pathological consequences of poisoning. And do not forget that even minor symptoms of poisoning require medical diagnosis and emergency care.