Mild carbon monoxide poisoning. What to do if you have carbon monoxide poisoning

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Carbon monoxide– this is a strong toxic substance that, when entering the body, leads to disruption of the functioning of its organs and systems.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur in a variety of places. This substance is odorless, which undoubtedly increases its danger, since people are not aware of its presence in the air.

The entire body is forced to work under conditions of severe oxygen deficiency. This leads to serious consequences: damage to the heart, brain, lungs, and skeletal muscles.

The effect of carbon monoxide on the human body

First of all, it is necessary to consider its effect on the composition and functioning of the blood. This dangerous substance enters the human body through Airways into the lungs, which are well supplied with blood. It is here that the poison is quickly absorbed into the blood.

In the bloodstream, carbon monoxide seeks out red blood cells and binds to them. These blood cells, in turn, perform an important function - respiratory. That is, they bind oxygen and transfer it to all organs and tissues.

In case of poisoning, carboxyhemoglobin is formed in the blood, which is no longer able to perform this function. That is, red blood cells lose their ability to capture oxygen. IN in this case a severe pathological condition develops - hypoxia, that is, oxygen starvation.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur under the following conditions:

• Household. Released during fires a large number of this dangerous gas. This occurs when the interior burns, the decoration of which contains plastic, wiring and household appliances. When you find long time in a closed garage where the car is running. In a traffic jam in calm weather. In the event of a domestic gas leak, as well as improper operation of furnace equipment;
• Production. Poisoning can occur in the gas and automobile industries. Where carbon monoxide is used for the synthesis of organic compounds.

It should be noted that children, pregnant women, elderly and weakened people are most sensitive to carbon monoxide. Let's take a closer look at the consequences individual systems body.

Effect on heart function

Under conditions of hypoxia, the heart activates compensatory devices. That is, under any conditions it tries to fulfill its main function - to supply the body with oxygen-enriched blood.

When carbon monoxide enters the blood, the oxygen concentration in it decreases significantly. In this case, the heart begins to pump blood through the systemic and pulmonary circulation at a higher speed. This leads to tachycardia - an increase in the number of heartbeats per minute.

At first, the tachycardia is moderate, but with severe poisoning or prolonged exposure to gas on the body, the pulse becomes frequent, but weakly filled. The heart rate reaches 130 – 140 beats per minute.

Against the background of severe tachycardia and hypoxia, there is a high probability of developing myocardial infarction.

Consequences for the central nervous system

With the bloodstream, the toxin enters the brain, where it has Negative influence to its various departments. First, a person feels a severe headache, and “cerebral vomiting” may occur, which occurs when the center of the brain responsible for digestion is irritated.

Carbon monoxide leads to disruption of nervous regulation, which is manifested by dysfunction of various sensory organs:

• Hearing impairment (noise, ringing), decreased hearing acuity;
• Visual impairment. There may be fog, spots in front of the eyes, blurry pictures, decreased visual acuity (may be significant).

When the cerebellum is damaged, the victim exhibits pathological signs such as unsteady gait and incoordination.

In severe cases, a large volume of the brain is affected, which results in consequences such as seizures and coma.

Carbon monoxide and respiratory organs

Hypoxia provokes disruption of the respiratory system. There is hyperventilation of the lungs, that is, shortness of breath, which progresses over time. This is a compensatory mechanism. Thus, the lungs try to eliminate the oxygen deficiency in the body.

If a person with carbon monoxide poisoning is not immediately given help, then his breathing becomes shallow, that is, unproductive. In this case, respiratory arrest and death of the victim may occur.

Effect of gas on skeletal muscles

Muscles need a constant supply of oxygen. If it is deficient, they cease to function fully. The person experiences severe weakness. He cannot stand on his feet; they give way.

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In severe cases, muscle weakness is pronounced. A person is unable to stand up, pick up even a light object, or call for help.

Symptoms of poisoning

The clinical picture of poisoning in this case depends on the severity of the pathological process (the amount of carbon monoxide affecting the body and the time a person spends in unfavorable conditions).

There are 3 degrees of severity of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• The first or mild degree is manifested by headache, pressure in the temples and forehead, nausea, and single vomiting. There is dizziness and slight weakness in the body. A person complains of rapid heartbeat and chest tightness. In rare cases, auditory hallucinations are recorded;
• Second or moderate severity characterized by neurological symptoms. The patient experiences complete or partial paresis and paralysis. The victim is drowsy and has reduced hearing;
• Third or severe degree. The patient is in critical condition and requires immediate medical attention. Convulsions and loss of consciousness are observed. Uncontrolled bowel movements may occur Bladder and intestines. Breathing is shallow, pupils almost do not react to light. There is a high probability of death before arrival at the hospital.

First aid and subsequent recovery

A person suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should receive first aid as soon as possible. The outcome of the poisoning depends on this.

Algorithm for providing first emergency care to the victim:

The ambulance crew continues to provide assistance to the victim:

• Oxygen is supplied through an oxygen mask;
• It is necessary to introduce an antidote - Acizol. The solution is administered intramuscularly in a volume of 1 milliliter. This drug eliminates negative impact carbon monoxide. It is capable of destroying carboxyhemoglobin formed in the blood;
• To restore the functions of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, subcutaneous administration of caffeine is indicated;
• Carboxylase is administered intravenously. This drug is an enzyme that destroys carboxyhemoglobin;
• Hospitalization of the victim in a hospital.

Symptomatic therapy is carried out in the hospital, and treatment with Acizol is also continued. The course of treatment with this drug is at least 7 days.

Consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning

Please remember that carbon monoxide is a potent toxic substance. Therefore, the consequences of poisoning are very diverse.

Doctors identify 2 types of consequences that arise due to the toxic effects of this substance:

• Early occurs in the first few days after poisoning;
• Late - develops after several weeks or months.

Early complications include:

Late consequences are due to the fact that many organs and systems were damaged under the influence of carbon monoxide.

Late Negative consequences most often observed from the nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems:

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a dangerous condition that can lead to death. It is frivolous to think that with carbon monoxide modern man rarely occurs in your life. After all stove heating is a thing of the past, not everyone experiences fires. And experts find signs of carbon monoxide poisoning among motorists, hookah lovers, fireplace owners, and workers of large factories.

What is the danger

Carbon monoxide quickly and quietly causes poisoning. Sometimes people do not have time to take measures to save lives. Everything must be done in advance, but to do this you need to know what a great danger this gas poses:

1. the concentration of carbon monoxide can be small - only 1.2%, death occurs within 3 minutes;
2. the gas is colorless, odorless - no one feels that they are breathing a dangerous composition;
3. this gas passes through all obstacles - solid walls, wet wipes, layers of soil, all partitions;
4. porous media do not absorb carbon monoxide, i.e. filter materials, e.g. protective equipment will not be saved from him.

The effects of gas are invisible but destructive. We must remember the properties of this invisible killer. Be careful where carbon monoxide occurs.

Places of poisoning

In our modern world There are many places where the effect of carbon monoxide will be on the human body permanently or temporarily. You can get poisoned:

1. in closed parking lots;
2. near highways;
3. when stuck in traffic jams for a long time;
4. in long tunnels;
5. in case of violation of the rules of use in cottages with fireplaces, in bathhouses with stoves;
6. when working in hazardous industries;
7. in garages with poor ventilation;
8. on fire;
9. when smoking a hookah.

Carbon monoxide poisoning takes a few hours to a few days to show symptoms. Everything will depend on the concentration of the harmful gas, the time of inhalation, and the state of human health. For example, in a garage with poor ventilation, a person suddenly suddenly wants to sleep, although he slept well at night. But this is a clear sign of poisoning with this gas.

Impact on humans

The effect of carbon monoxide on the body is amazing. It joins hemoglobin 200 times faster than oxygen. This produces carboxyhemoglobin, which will interfere with the distribution of oxygen throughout organs and tissues. Lack of oxygen will negatively affect the functioning of the entire body.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning depend on the volume of the substance in the air, the time of inhalation, and the health of the person. Sometimes they can be confused with signs of another illness or taken for a cheerful mood. Signs of poisoning:

• painful headache, often in the temporal part;
• constant nausea;
• loss of concentration;
• drowsiness;
• soreness in the eyes;
• lacrimation;
• increased heart rate;
• dry throat, cough;
• chest pain;
• increased blood pressure;
• severe dizziness;
• fog;
• hearing loss;
• hallucinations are possible.

If a person has been in a gas-polluted room for a long time, then acute carbon monoxide poisoning is possible. Then the existing symptoms will be joined by fainting, in some cases even coma, paralysis. The victim begins to have convulsions and uncontrolled release of feces and urine. IN severe cases there is a disruption of the upper respiratory tract.

If such signs occur, it is necessary to immediately take the poisoned person to a medical facility.

Late consequences of poisoning

When CO poisoning occurs, you should definitely visit a doctor, even if the symptoms have passed. Complications will appear later; after about two days, the first consequences after poisoning begin. Victims sometimes do not associate them with carbon monoxide, which makes it difficult to make a diagnosis. Signs of complications:

1. deterioration of sensation in the legs;
2. dysfunction of the bladder;
3. diarrhea;
4. cerebral edema;
5. exacerbation of mental illness (if any);
6. pulmonary edema;
7. disruption of the heart, possible cardiac arrest.

Later manifestations of complications are noticeable a month after poisoning. This occurs in people with weak hearts and diseases of the central nervous system. They begin to experience significant memory loss and apathy. In severe cases, paralysis, decreased intelligence. If the cardiovascular system is weak, myocardial infarction may develop. Rapidly developing pneumonia also occurs.

People with chronic diseases find it difficult to tolerate intoxication of the body with harmful gases. That is why the complications of poisoning are so severe for them.

Immediate actions upon detection of victims

Quick, competent first aid is required for carbon monoxide poisoning.

1. Provide the patient with an influx fresh air. We need to take it away from crowds of people.
2. Notify the hospital. If a person talks and laughs, this may be influenced by the gas.
3. When a person is conscious and answers questions adequately, give him tea with sugar.
4. If the poisoned person is unconscious, give him cotton wool and ammonia to smell. Lay on your side (to prevent your tongue from sticking into your airways), unbutton any clothes that are blocking your breathing. Rub your chest and back.
5. If there is no breathing, do artificial respiration.

It is easy to understand that a person has suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning if a fire is visible nearby, or if he is lying in a car with the engine running. But if a person is unconscious, and there are no signs nearby that indicate poisoning, it is better to revive him and take him to the doctors. It is difficult to determine the damage by symptoms; your actions can make it even worse.

Help at the fire!

You need to be especially careful during a fire. In such an emergency, there is a large concentration of the deadly gas; you can become poisoned by taking only 2 to 3 breaths. Wet rags, scarves, medical masks, and other improvised means will not help. We only need modern gas masks.

When there are burning rooms with people in the fire, you cannot try to save them yourself, this will lead to an increase in the number of victims, you must call the Ministry of Emergency Situations by calling 112.

Carrying out treatment

Carbon monoxide poisoning is difficult for the body to tolerate, so first aid helps preserve human health and life. In the first three hours, you need to let the injured person breathe pure oxygen, for example, through an oxygen bag. It’s good if doctors are nearby, since it is necessary to quickly administer the antidote. All these measures are aimed at reducing the effect of carbon monoxide on the victim’s body.
Further treatment is carried out in the hospital. The patient is provided with regular therapeutic oxygen breathing. All health measures are aimed at restoring the functions of damaged internal organs and the brain. The success of these measures depends on the severity of the condition.

Preventive measures

It is easier to prevent contact with carbon monoxide and poisoning than to correct the consequences later. You just need to follow the precautions:

1. work where combustion is present will be performed in ventilated rooms;
2. correctly adjust the dampers of fireplaces and stoves;
3. in houses with geysers, plates to carry out preventive inspections, cleaning columns;
4. check the condition of ventilation in residential premises;
5. in a closed garage, turn off the car engine;
6. install autonomous analyzers in rooms with a potential threat of CO leakage;
7. follow the rules fire safety;

Preventive measures will help reduce the effects of fatal gas poisoning. It is necessary to learn to follow basic fire safety rules from childhood. It is necessary not only to teach, but to practice. The rules should be automatically followed when necessary, even if the person himself is confused in a difficult situation.

Conclusion

Any poisoning is dangerous for humans. The consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning are very difficult to bear. Significant damage occurs to important organs of the human body. In many cases, these changes cannot be corrected.

Some people react particularly strongly to carbon monoxide. Walking along polluted streets is especially dangerous for pregnant women and small children. Persons with pulmonary diseases do not tolerate smoky rooms well. This applies to people with bronchitis and pneumonia.
It is harmful for older people to breathe air containing high levels of harmful gases. Also, patients whose bodies are weakened by long-term chronic diseases have a difficult time in rooms with carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs faster in men than in women.

In a modern city, the air is full of car exhaust. People breathe carbon monoxide constantly, which may be why their health becomes so weak. This gas has too much of a toxic effect on human body. Slowly but surely destroying internal organs from the inside, disrupting the functioning of all systems.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the most common poisonings. It occurs due to inhalation of air filled with smoke or carbon monoxide. The toxic effect on the human body of this colorless, odorless gas is undeniable, but the exact mechanism of its action has not yet been proven.

It is important to know that intoxication resulting from poisoning occurs with complications and negatively affects functionality internal organs and systems in both children and adults.

How does carbon monoxide poisoning occur?

The saturation of air with toxic vapors, due to their lack of organoleptic properties, is difficult to determine without special instruments. Therefore, poisoning often occurs both at home and at work.

If you use heating columns at home with poor ventilation or faulty stove installations, then saturation of the air with a toxic substance cannot be avoided. Intoxication of the body with poisonous gas is also often observed as a result long stay in closed parking lots and garages with a large concentration of cars. Saturation of space in such places is as fast as possible. Sometimes symptoms of intoxication are observed in active smokers and hookah lovers.

For poisoning, it is enough to inhale air containing 0.1% CO. The severity of intoxication is also influenced by the time factor of CO exposure to the body. There is also a certain risk group of people in whom the process of acute intoxication occurs an order of magnitude faster.

The risk group includes:

• women during pregnancy;
• children;
• old men;
• young people with weakened immune systems after illness.

By international classification diseases ICD-10, poisoning of this type is assigned code T58.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide binds red blood cells and prevents them from transporting oxygen to human organs and tissues. Thus, it inhibits mitochondrial respiration and the process of saturating the body with oxygen. The nervous system and respiratory organs suffer from a lack of oxygen, the functioning of the heart is disrupted and vascular tissue is deformed. Carbon monoxide poisoning is divided by doctors into three stages of severity. (stages below)

The first mild stage, with timely assistance, passes quickly and the symptoms subside without complications. The moderate and severe stages of intoxication provoke the development of serious complications in the victim. Prolonged inhalation of air saturated with carbon monoxide can even lead to death.

Symptoms of the mild stage:

• pulsation in the temporal region, pressing headache;
• foggy consciousness;
• noise or ringing in the ears;
• fainting state;
• mild nausea;
• decreased vision, tearfulness;
• discomfort in the larynx, causing coughing attacks;
• hard breathing.

With prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide, symptoms rapidly worsen. At the initial stage of poisoning, the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin in the body reaches 30%, then at the middle stage this figure reaches 40%.

Moderate symptoms:

1. temporary unconsciousness;
2. feeling of stupor and disturbance of general coordination in space;
3. severe shortness of breath;
4. cramps in the limbs;
5. insufficient oxygen supply to brain cells leads to hallucinations;
6. pressure in the chest area;
7. difference in the size of the pupils of the eyes;
8. temporary or permanent loss of hearing and vision.

If carbon monoxide poisoning continues, a severe form of poisoning is diagnosed. It can be complicated by a rapid course, when a person dies in a few minutes.

Main symptoms:

1. falling into a coma, which can last several days;
2. severe convulsions leading to paralysis;
3. weak pulse and dilated pupils;
4. intermittent shallow breathing;
5. blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes;
6. spontaneous excretion of urine and feces.

The above symptoms are characteristic of the three standard forms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Some victims exhibit atypical symptoms that were not described above.

Non-standard symptoms:

• a sharp decrease in pressure to 70-50 mmHg, which leads to fainting;
• excited state (euphoria) with hallucinations;
• state of coma with fatal outcome (rapid course).

First aid for gas intoxication

An objective assessment of the situation and its severity can only be medical workers, so you need to immediately call ambulance. Before her arrival, it is advisable to provide the victim first aid which will reduce the risk of complications.

Before the doctors arrive you need to:

• neutralize the source that produces carbon monoxide;
• provide the victim with a flow of fresh air (help him go outside or open the windows);
• free the person from tight clothing, unfasten the top buttons and loosen the belt to ensure better maneuverability clean air into the lungs;
• do not let the victim fall asleep, try to keep him conscious until the doctors arrive, using ammonia.
• when the victim regains consciousness, it is necessary to give him sorbent drugs, for example, Polysorb. It actively cleanses the body of toxic substances.

This should be first aid for carbon monoxide poisoning until doctors arrive. Next, the doctors themselves will conduct a diagnosis, administer an antidote and decide on the need for hospitalization. The actions of doctors in case of carbon monoxide poisoning must be clear and fast.

They include the following manipulations:

1. using an oxygen mask to restore breathing;
2. the use of the drug Acizol, which is an antidote because it destroys carboxyhemoglobin molecules;
3. subcutaneous injections of caffeine to normalize heart rate;
4. intravenous injections of the enzyme Carboxylase, which also destroys carboxyhemoglobin;
5. hospitalization of the victim for a full examination and symptomatic therapy. The antidote is administered daily, 1 ml for a week.

Treatment at home is only possible if an overdose of poisonous gas does not lead to serious consequences. The first degree of poisoning (mild) in adults is removed quickly and does not have any serious consequences in the future. A certain category of victims needs additional health examination in a hospital setting after carbon monoxide poisoning.

This list includes:

• pregnant women;
• victims with concomitant heart and vascular diseases;
• adults with neurotic disorders;
• victims with low temperature bodies.

When is medical attention required?

All cases of acute poisoning with corresponding symptoms require emergency medical care. Depending on the general condition of the patient, he is admitted to the intensive care unit or intensive care unit. When is the first health care provided, the victim may need to continue treatment aimed at restoring the functioning of all organs and systems.

Consequences and prevention

Carbon monoxide poisoning causes many unpleasant complications in people associated with deteriorating health. Doctors divide them into two groups. Early complications appear immediately after poisoning, and late complications appear weeks or even months later.

Early complications:

1. regular headaches and dizziness;
2. slowness of movement and low sensitivity of fingers and toes;
3. disruption of the functioning of the intestines and urinary tract;
4. deterioration of vision and hearing;
5. unbalanced mental state;
6. swelling of the brain and lungs;
7. impaired blood flow and heart rhythm disturbances;
8. death due to cardiac arrest.

Late complications may appear after 30-40 days. The long time it takes for pathologies to manifest is due to the fact that they develop as the functioning of internal organs and systems deteriorates. Most often, pathologies are determined in the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, respiratory organs and nervous system.

These include:

• decreased activity of the limbs leading to paralysis;
• development of amnesia;
• heart attack (can cause cardiac arrest);
• ischemic disease of the heart muscle;
• cardiac asthma.

All of these diseases develop as a result of acute carbon monoxide poisoning and delayed provision of assistance.

What to do to protect yourself and your loved ones from poisoning? Number one on the list of preventive measures is strict adherence to fire safety rules. People often neglect these rules, causing accidents.

To eliminate the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning at work and at home, it is recommended to stop using broken gas and electrical equipment. You should not stay in a closed room for a long time where cars are operating. All production garages and basements must be equipped with a powerful ventilation system.

Video with Elena Malysheva about carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a common and severe form of intoxication that can cause serious damage to human organs and systems, including death. The consequences of poisoning often lead to loss of ability to work and disability of the victims. In Russia, carbon monoxide poisoning ranks first among the causes of death from acute poisoning. Fatalities occur predominantly at the scene of the incident. Timely assistance to the victim, carried out at the scene of the incident, during transportation and in a hospital setting, can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications and the number of deaths.

Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?

Carbon monoxide, also known as carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide (CO), is formed during incomplete combustion of substances containing carbon. It has neither color nor smell. It is able to penetrate through partitions, walls, and layers of soil. It is not absorbed by porous materials; therefore, filter gas masks will not protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a poison with a rapid, general toxic effect; when its concentration in the air is 1.28% or more, death occurs in less than 3 minutes.

The main damaging effects of CO on the body

1. Carbon monoxide blocks the process of oxygen delivery to organs and tissues

Carbon monoxide is considered a blood poison, as it primarily affects blood cells (red blood cells). Normally, red blood cells carry oxygen to organs and tissues using a special protein - hemoglobin. Once in the blood, carbon monoxide binds tightly to hemoglobin, forming a destructive compound - carboxyhemoglobin. In this case, red blood cells lose their ability to carry oxygen and deliver it to vital organs. The entire body begins to experience oxygen starvation (hypoxia).

Nerve cells are most sensitive to lack of oxygen. And therefore, the first symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are associated with disruption of the nervous system (headache, dizziness, nausea, lack of coordination, etc.).

1. Carbon monoxide disrupts the functioning of the heart muscle and skeletal muscles

Carbon monoxide binds to a protein in skeletal muscle and heart muscle (myoglobin), which results in general muscle weakness and decreased pumping function of the heart (shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, weak pulse).

Effect of carbon monoxide on the body

Main causes of carbon monoxide poisoning

1. Inhalation of vehicle exhaust gases, prolonged stay in closed garages in a car with the engine running;

2. Carbon monoxide poisoning at home: malfunction heating devices(fireplaces, stoves, etc.), leakage of household propane gas (propane contains 4-11% CO), long burning kerosene lamps, etc.

3. Poisoning from fires(buildings, transport cars, elevators, airplanes, etc.)

Signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

The manifestation of symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning directly depends on its concentration in the inhaled air and on the duration of its effect on the human body. So, when the concentration of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere is 0.02-0.03% and the exposure time on the body is 4-6 hours, the following symptoms will appear: headache, dizziness, nausea, impaired coordination of movements. And at a concentration of 0.1-0.2% and a duration of exposure of 1-2 hours, coma occurs, respiratory arrest occurs and death is possible.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

What is affected?	Light and medium degree	Severe degree	Mechanism of occurrence
CNS (central nervous system)	Headache in the temples and forehead, of a girdling nature Dizziness Noise in ears Flickering before the eyes Nausea, vomiting Brain fog Impaired movement coordination Decreased visual acuity and hearing Brief loss of consciousness	Loss of consciousness Possible seizures Possible involuntary urination or bowel movements	The most sensitive organ to a lack of oxygen is the brain and all the nerve structures adjacent to it. Thus, all primary symptoms such as headache, dizziness, tinnitus, nausea are the result of suffering nerve cells from oxygen starvation. All subsequent symptoms such as loss of coordination, loss of consciousness, convulsions are the consequences of deeper damage to the nervous structures from lack of oxygen.
Cordially – vascular system	Heartbeat Rapid pulse (more than 90 beats per minute), Possible pressing pain in the heart area.	The pulse is rapid (130 beats per minute or more), but weakly palpable, High risk of developing myocardial infarction	The body tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen with more intense work of the heart, pumping as much blood as possible (palpitations, rapid pulse). Pain is a signal of lack of nutrition to the heart muscle. Complete disruption of oxygen delivery to the heart muscle leads to a heart attack.
Respiratory system	Rapid breathing Lack of air (shortness of breath),	Breathing is shallow, intermittent	Rapid breathing is a compensatory mechanism in response to lack of oxygen. In the severe stage, the respiratory control center is damaged, which is accompanied by shallow and irregular breathing movements.
Skin and mucous membranes	Facial skin and mucous membranes are bright red or Pink colour	The skin and mucous membranes are pale, with a slightly pinkish tint	The result of increased blood flow to the head area. In the severe stage, the body becomes exhausted and loses its ability to pump blood effectively. In areas of insufficient blood circulation, the skin turns pale.
Carboxyhemoglobin content in blood	20-50 %	More than 50%

Symptoms of atypical forms of carbon monoxide poisoning

Form	Symptoms	Mechanism of occurrence
Fainting form	Paleness of the skin and mucous membranes Marked decrease blood pressure(70/50 mmHg or less) Loss of consciousness	The exact mechanism is unknown. It is assumed that under the influence of a lack of oxygen and the toxic effect of CO, the center for regulating vascular tone is affected. This leads to a sharp drop in pressure and loss of consciousness.
Euphoric form	Physical and mental arousal Mental disorders: delusions, hallucinations, unmotivated actions, etc. Loss of consciousness Respiratory and cardiac dysfunction	Toxic effect of carbon monoxide on the centers of higher nervous activity.
Fulminant form of carbon monoxide poisoning, occurs in cases where the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air exceeds 1.2% per 1m³. In a matter of minutes, the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin in the victim’s blood reaches 75% or more. Which in turn is accompanied by loss of consciousness, convulsions, respiratory paralysis and death in less than 3 minutes.

What are the consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide poisoning entails a number of complications from the organs and systems of the body. There are early and late complications.

Consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning
What is affected?	Early complications acute poisoning (first 2 days after poisoning)	Late complications acute poisoning (2-40 days)	Mechanism of occurrence
Nervous system	Prolonged headaches and dizziness Damage to peripheral nerves, which is accompanied by impaired motor activity and loss of sensation in the limb Bowel and bladder dysfunctions Hearing and vision disorders Swelling of the brain, first symptoms of increased body temperature Aggravation and development mental illness	Memory loss Decrease in intelligence Psychoses Apathy Parkinsonism Movement disorders (choreas) Paralysis Blindness Dysfunction of the pelvic organs	Damage to white and gray matter brain under conditions of oxygen starvation Direct toxic effect of carbon monoxide on nerve cells. CO binds to the protein of nerve cell membranes (myelin), disrupting the conduction of impulses along nerve endings.
The cardiovascular system	Sudden death Rhythm disturbance Coronary circulation disorder	Myocardial infarction Angina pectoris Myocarditis Cardiac asthma	Lack of oxygen Direct damaging effect of CO on heart cells Binding of CO to cardiac muscle cell protein (myoglobin)
Respiratory system	Toxic pulmonary edema	Pneumonia	Toxic effect of CO on lung tissue Weakening defense mechanisms lungs Accession of infection

What determines the outcome of poisoning?

• From the concentration of carbon monoxide in the inhaled air
• The duration of exposure to carbon monoxide on the human body
• From degree physical activity the victim at the time of the action of the poison (the higher the load, the more severe the consequences of poisoning)
• Women are more resistant to carbon monoxide than men
• Poisoning is difficult to tolerate: exhausted people suffering from anemia, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, alcoholics, heavy smokers.
• Children, adolescents and pregnant women are especially sensitive to the effects of the poison.

Help for carbon monoxide poisoning

Do I need to call an ambulance?

Not really	Why?
Yes need! And this must be done as soon as they see the victim.	Only a doctor is able to objectively assess the condition of the victim. Symptoms and signs of poisoning do not always indicate the true severity of the poisoning. Long-term complications may develop, after 2 days or several weeks. Timely start drug treatment can reduce the percentage of mortality and disability resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Indications for hospitalization for carbon monoxide poisoning: All patients with moderate and severe poisoning (with a carboxyhemoglobin concentration in the blood of more than 25%) Pregnant women (with a carboxyhemoglobin concentration in the blood of more than 10%) Victims with cardiovascular diseases (with a carboxyhemoglobin concentration in the blood of more than 15%) Victims who lost consciousness, as well as those who neurological disorders(impaired coordination, delusions, hallucinations, etc.) Victims with low body temperature (below 36.6 °C)

How to help the victim on the spot?

Help steps		How?	For what?
Stop exposure to CO		Remove to fresh air, or Shut off the CO source, or Wear an oxygen mask or gas mask (with hopcalite cartridge)	With every minute the body is exposed to carbon monoxide, the possibility of survival decreases.
Ensure airway patency and adequate oxygen delivery		Carry the victim to open air, or put on an oxygen mask (if you have one), or open windows and doors in the room. Inspect and clear the airways Free yourself from restrictive clothing, tie, shirt Lay the victim on his side	In half an hour in the fresh air, the content of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood decreases by 50% Lying on your side prevents your tongue from sticking out
Stimulate breathing and ensure blood flow to the head, bring consciousness		Give ammonia to smell (no closer than 1 cm from the nose) Rub your chest, put mustard plasters on your chest and back (if you have them) Give hot tea, coffee	Ammonia stimulates the respiratory center and removes from unconsciousness. Rubbing the chest and mustard plasters improve blood circulation in the upper parts of the body, which increases cerebral circulation. Tea and coffee contain caffeine, which has a tonic effect on the nervous system and also stimulates breathing.
If necessary, perform indirect cardiac massage and artificial respiration		One cycle: 2 breaths and 30 chest compressions. See chest compressions and artificial respiration.	Provides blood circulation and oxygen delivery to organs and tissues. Supports vital important functions body until medical help arrives.
Ensure peace, protect from unnecessary waste of energy		Lay on your side Warm, protect from hypothermia, wrap. But do not overheat the victim.	Lay down to reduce oxygen consumption. When hypothermia or overheating occurs, the body spends a lot of energy to maintain the necessary balance.
Enter antidote		Oxygen 12-15 liters per minute, for 6 hours (supplied using: oxygen mask, oxygen tent, or artificial ventilation). Acizol, ampoules 6% -1.0 ml, Capsules 120 mg. Treatment: 1 ml intramuscularly, as soon as possible after poisoning. Repeated administration after 1 hour. For prevention: 1 ml intramuscularly, 20-30 minutes before entering the danger zone.	Oxygen competes with CO for a place “on hemoglobin”, so the more oxygen there is, the more chances it has to displace CO and take its natural place. Acizol- an antidote to carbon monoxide, accelerates the breakdown of the pathological compound - carboxyhemoglobin and promotes the addition of oxygen to hemoglobin. Reduces the toxic effect of CO on cells. It is also used as a prophylactic agent, it reduces several times harmful effects carbon monoxide on the body.

Poisoning by combustion products – the main cause (80% of all cases) of deaths in fires. Over 60% of them are due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

What is carbon monoxide and why is it dangerous?

Let's try to figure it out and remember knowledge from physics and chemistry.

Carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide, or carbon monoxide, chemical formula CO) is a gaseous compound formed during combustion of any type. What happens when this substance enters the body? After entering the respiratory tract, carbon monoxide molecules immediately end up in the blood and bind to hemoglobin molecules. A completely new substance is formed - carboxyhemoglobin, which interferes with the transport of oxygen. For this reason, oxygen deficiency develops very quickly.

The biggest danger– carbon monoxide is invisible and in no way perceptible, it has neither odor nor color, that is, the cause of the illness is not obvious, it is not always possible to detect it immediately. Carbon monoxide cannot be felt in any way, which is why its second name is the silent killer.

Feeling fatigue, loss of strength and dizziness, a person admits fatal mistake– decides to lie down. And, even if he later understands the reason and the need for going out into the air, as a rule, he is no longer able to do anything. Knowledge could save many symptoms of CO poisoning– knowing them, it is possible to suspect the cause of the illness in time and take the necessary measures to save it.

Symptoms and signs

The severity of the lesion depends on several factors:

• state of health and physiological characteristics of a person. Weakened, having chronic diseases, especially those accompanied by anemia, the elderly, pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the effects of CO;
• duration of exposure of the CO compound to the body;
• concentration of carbon monoxide in inspired air;
• physical activity during poisoning. The higher the activity, the faster poisoning occurs.

Severity

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Mild degree severity is characterized by the following symptoms:

• general weakness;
• headaches, mainly in the frontal and temporal regions;
• knocking in the temples;
• noise in ears;
• dizziness;

• visual impairment – ​​flickering, dots before the eyes;
• unproductive, i.e. dry cough;
• rapid breathing;
• lack of air, shortness of breath;
• lacrimation;
• nausea;
• hyperemia (redness) of the skin and mucous membranes;
• tachycardia;
• increased blood pressure.

Symptoms medium degree severity is the preservation of all the symptoms of the previous stage and their more severe form:

• fogginess, possible loss of consciousness for a short time;
• vomit;
• hallucinations, both visual and auditory;
• violation of the vestibular apparatus, uncoordinated movements;
• pressing chest pain.

Severe degree poisoning is characterized by the following symptoms:

• paralysis;
• long-term loss of consciousness, coma;
• convulsions;
• dilated pupils;
• involuntary emptying of the bladder and bowels;
• increased heart rate up to 130 beats per minute, but it is faintly palpable;
• cyanosis (blue discoloration) of the skin and mucous membranes;
• breathing problems – it becomes shallow and intermittent.

Atypical forms

There are two of them - fainting and euphoric.

Symptoms of fainting:

• pallor of the skin and mucous membranes;
• decreased blood pressure;
• loss of consciousness.

Symptoms of the euphoric form:

• psychomotor agitation;
• mental dysfunction: delirium, hallucinations, laughter, strange behavior;
• loss of consciousness;
• respiratory and heart failure.

First aid for victims

Only numbers

• A mild degree of poisoning occurs already at a carbon monoxide concentration of 0.08% - headache, dizziness, suffocation, and general weakness occur.
• An increase in CO concentration to 0.32% causes motor paralysis and fainting. After about half an hour, death occurs.
• At a CO concentration of 1.2% and above, a fulminant form of poisoning develops - in a couple of breaths a person receives a lethal dose, death occurs within a maximum of 3 minutes.
• In exhaust gases passenger car contains from 1.5 to 3% carbon monoxide. Contrary to popular belief, you can get poisoned while the engine is running not only indoors, but also outdoors.
• About two and a half thousand people in Russia are hospitalized annually with varying degrees of severity of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide) // Harmful substances in industry. Handbook for chemists, engineers and doctors / Ed. N.V. Lazarev and I.D. Gadaskina. - 7th ed. - L.: Chemistry, 1977. - T. 3. - P. 240-253. - 608 p.

Carbon monoxide concentration and symptoms of poisoning

Prevention measures

In order to minimize the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, it is enough to follow the following rules:

• operate stoves and fireplaces in accordance with the rules, regularly check the operation ventilation system and in a timely manner, and trust the laying of stoves and fireplaces only to professionals;
• do not stay near busy roads for a long time;
• Always turn off the car engine in a closed garage. It only takes five minutes of engine operation for the concentration of carbon monoxide to become lethal - remember this;
• When staying in a car for a long time, and even more so sleeping in a car, always turn off the engine;
• make it a rule - if symptoms arise that suggest carbon monoxide poisoning, provide fresh air as soon as possible by opening the windows, or better yet, leave the room. Do not lie down if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or weak.

Remember - carbon monoxide is insidious, it acts quickly and imperceptibly, so life and health depend on speed measures taken. Take care of yourself and your loved ones!