Monday, November 22, 2010

What to Know about Carbon Monoxide Toxicity

By Peter Delgado


The vascular system has two hundred times more affinity to carbon monoxide than oxygen. Which goes to say that if a person suffers from carbon monoxide poisoning, important nutrients and oxygen will not be efficiently delivered to major organs in the body particularly the heart and the brain.

Of utmost importance in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning is to reinstate the oxygen supply to casualty's body. To make the toxicity controllable and reversible, the victim has to gasp enormous amounts of fresh air for certain duration. In rabid circumstances, patient is treated with hyperbaric therapy wherein he is placed in an oxygen pressurized chamber.

Nowadays, the best line of defense to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning is through the use of carbon monoxide detector in your abode. This detects the presence of carbon monoxide gas. This is a very versatile gadget that can be easily purchased in the market and has a lot of choices.

One important thing to know is the different kinds of sources carbon monoxide gas come from. One usual source is from the tiny holes of hoses of gas stoves. Leaking is also possible in gadgets and equipment powered by gas. These may include space heaters, clothes dryers, water heaters, generators, motorcycles, motorboats, and lawn equipment. Other origin of carbon monoxide gas is wood stoves, smudge pots and charcoal barbecues.

It is important to check the victim closely and ask for information from him to delineate if it is really carbon monoxide poisoning, because some diseases and disorders of the CNS mimic the signs and symptoms of this type of poisoning. Pay close attention to complaints of headache, shortness of breath, looks of confusion, staggering gait, feelings of fatigue and giddiness, nauseous and has the need to throw up. In severe cases, poisoning could lead to lethargy and coma. In other medical conditions, patients with lesser supply of oxygen will turn whitish or bluish. Carbon monoxide poisoning victims in worst cases have bright pink colored skin or can also be flushed red.

Victims of carbon monoxide poisoning can have flushed red or bright pink skin different from other medical entities wherein persons with inadequate supply of oxygen turn bluish or cyanotic and ash-stricken.

While help is on its way, administer the basic ABC's in first aid. But first and foremost, there is a need for you to be safe and protected. Apply any kind of protective equipment available. Check for the person's airway by putting your ear closer to the mouth and feel for the air and the rising of the victim's abdomen.

However, your safety is of utmost importance, too. Provide yourself with a handy protective gadget be it a mask or a pair of gloves depending on the availability of the item. Then start checking his airway clearance by closely putting your ear to the victim's mouth and check if you can feel the air out of his mouth. His airways can also be checked by taking a good look at his chest as it rises and falls. If the victim is unconscious and not breathing, start to apply CPR. Then ensure that the victim has a good circulation. As soon as the victim is put to safety in a medical institution, it is imperative that one should look for the carbon monoxide origin and refurbish to avoid future occurrences of carbon monoxide poisoning.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment