What should I do if I get carbon monoxide poisoning?

What to do with carbon monoxide poisoning and what help should the victim provide? Let's look at the methods of helping with 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, then it takes the initiative from oxygen, since it is 200 times lighter. It is because carbon monoxide is lighter that it actively binds to hemoglobin, which leads to the loss of oxygen in the tissues and vital organs. Suffocation and death are caused by a lack of oxygen. 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 operates on combustible fuel releases carbon monoxide. And because of malfunctioning or damage, problems can arise:

• If the car or other mechanism is left working indoors, the carbon monoxide will be released, filling all the free space in the car and beyond. The substance seeps even into car seats, making them dangerous.
• Incorrect operation or installation of devices and mechanisms operating on combustible fuel can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Poisoning can occur due to heating systems, which are used during the cold season in enclosed spaces. If such a system works in a new house with insulated windows and tightly closed doors, this will result in the accumulation of carbon monoxide and poisoning. This applies to old houses, with faulty chimneys, which contribute to the stagnation of carbon monoxide in flats and offices.

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Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Symptoms of poisoning can appear suddenly or manifest itself 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, causing serious problems with the cardiovascular system and causing damage to the brain. If you notice a headache, rapid heartbeat, nausea and tinnitus when you are indoors, you should immediately seek medical help. If as soon as you leave the room, you get better and similar symptoms are observed in other people who work or live with you in the same room, this indicates a leak of carbon monoxide.

• Isolate early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning or mild intoxication. These include: nausea and vomiting, trembling in the whole 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 symptoms described above.
• At an intoxication of average gravity at the person short-term failures in memory, sharp adynamia, a trembling in a body, infringement of coordination of movements and an asthenic condition come.
• If severe intoxication occurs, a person has a prolonged coma, which can last longer than one week. There are lesions of the brain, seizures, seizures, involuntary defecation and urination, rigidity of the muscles of the extremities and general hyperhidrosis. Patients have intermittent breathing, and body temperature is 39-40 ° C. All this can lead to death due to respiratory paralysis. The prognosis of survival with a similar poisoning with carbon monoxide is determined by the duration and depth of the coma.

In addition to the three above-described degrees of carbon monoxide poisoning, there is another symptomatology that indicates a pathological condition. Let's look at it:

• People with carbon monoxide poisoning can have color blindness, optic nerve atrophy, double vision.
• Hemorrhagic eruptions, graying and hair loss, trophic skin lesions and other lesions of the bands and skin.
• Defeat of the respiratory and circulatory system begins with the first hours of intoxication of the body. The patient has tachycardia, coronary insufficiency, lability of the pulse.
• On an average and severe degree of intoxication, bronchitis, toxic pneumonia and swelling of the lungs appear. Clinical symptoms are very scarce and develop to a pathological condition within two days.
• The patient has a high content of erythrocytes and hemoglobin, an increase in lactic acid, urea, sugar levels and acetone bodies

There is a chronic carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptomatic of this condition manifests itself in frequent headaches, dizziness, increased fatigue, and visual impairment. Because of chronic poisoning, the development of atherosclerosis and endocrine disorders is possible. Due to physical exertion, noise and vibration, the symptoms of chronic intoxication are amplified.

First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning

If one of your family members exhibits the above symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, then it is necessary to act immediately. First of all, take the victim out of the gassed zone and ensure a continuous peace and access to fresh air. Vigorous movements rub the body of the victim, if the patient is conscious, water it with warm tea and coffee, put a cold compress on the chest and head. And be sure to call an ambulance.

If the victim is unconscious, this indicates severe poisoning. The skin of the patient becomes red. Breathing becomes frequent and superficial. Possible involuntary stool. Despite this symptomatology, the patient's condition is reversible. First of all, take the victim out of the gas room and call for help.

If the victim does not have breathing, proceed with immediate mechanical ventilation. To do this, you can use the method "from mouth to mouth", "from mouth to nose". Pay attention, in order not to poison at the moment of rendering first aid, it is recommended to put a gauze bandage or a handkerchief on the mouth or nose of the victim. In the absence of a pulse, external heart massage is performed. Resuscitation must continue until the arrival of an ambulance.

• Poisoning by household gas

The first aid in this case is similar to that provided by carbon monoxide poisoning. The patient is given access to oxygen, stacked on a soft surface and carried out artificial respiration. It is very important to loosen the collar and the belt of the victim, that is, the squeezing elements of clothing. Allow the victim to inhale ammonia. If the poisoning is strong, then you need to call an ambulance. Doctors will improve the patient's condition with a special antidote and medication.

• Sulfide poisoning

Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic nerve poison, which leads to hypoxia, as it irritates the mucous membrane. First aid is to open the victim's access to the air. The patient should wash his eyes and nose with clean water and make cold lotions. If the victim has pain in the eyes, then it is necessary to inject novocaine and dicatin into the eyes. With prolonged pain in the upper respiratory tract and nasopharynx, the patient is shown rinsing with warm water and soda.

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Methods for preventing carbon monoxide poisoning

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

• Check all devices and mechanisms that work on combustible fuel. This will allow you to identify and fix the problem in time.
• Never leave the car with the engine running in a closed garage and do not swim in the rear of the vessel, which is idling.
• Regularly ventilate rooms with poorly functioning ventilation systems in order to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning

What to do with carbon monoxide poisoning is a very topical issue, as not everyone knows the methods of first aid and the main symptoms of poisoning. The above methods of preventing carbon monoxide poisoning will prevent the pathological consequences of poisoning. And do not forget that even minor symptoms of poisoning need medical diagnosis and first aid.