Everyone Healthy Library
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
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Condition overview
Attributes
Critical careis Yes
Linked signs and symptoms
7Each sign/symptom opens its own page and links back to related conditions.
Linked drugs / medications
0No linked drugs are listed yet.
Treatments, therapies and supportive options
3Grouped by treatment type. These are educational database links, not personal treatment recommendations. Evidence labels are shown only where stored in the EH database.
Medical therapy
1Linked diagnostic tests and investigations
6These are pulled from both EH diagnostic-test link tables, including the older large test-link table.
Biological markers/agents
6This visual map shows biological markers/agents reported as increased or decreased with this condition. These are educational relationships only; test results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician because ranges vary by lab, method, age, sex and clinical context.
Often increased
5- Blood pHReference range exampleAll: 7.35–7.45Linked diagnostic testsBlood pH Test
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 0–1.5 %Linked diagnostic testsCarbon Monoxide (CO) Concentration
- EosinophilsReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 0–3 %; 0–3 %Linked diagnostic testsDifferential White Blood Cell Count Tests, Eosinophil Differential Of Total WBC
- Lactic Acid (Venous Blood)Reference range exampleAll: 0.5–2.2 mEq/LLinked diagnostic testsLactic Acid Concentration
- Urine glucoseReference range example0–2.5; Adult ( > 16y): 0–2.5 mmol/dayLinked diagnostic testsUrine glucose concentration
Often decreased
1Introduction / full article
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is an unscented, colorless, flavorless yet potentially dangerous gas which can cause immediate death. [1]
Epidemiology
It has been approximated that about 400 people die every year due to carbon monoxide poisoning and that there are around 20,000 hospital emergency cases per annum. [2]
Causes
The usual sources of carbon monoxide are charcoal grills, cigarette smoke, heaters, stoves, spray paints, solvents, boat engines and generators. Among the risk factors are being passenger in the back of enclosed pickup trucks, being male, being exposed as employee in power plants and steel production, exposure to fire scenes and to inappropriately vented and faulty appliance, having anemia, heart and respiratory conditions and living in northern states or in higher altitudes. Carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous to individuals at sleep or those who have taken alcohol since the symptoms may not be recognized at once. [2] [4] [5] [6]
Signs and Symptoms
Carbon monoxide poisoning produces symptoms such as headache, dizziness, weakness, breathlessness, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, confusion, visual disturbances, depression, seizure, hallucination, pain in the chest area, motor and memory problems. It can also mimic flu. Chronic exposure can lead to brain damage and can be fatal if not detected and treated. [1] [3] [4] Fetuses and infants are vulnerable to develop developmental disorders. [5]
Diagnosis
Examination of the blood is the most effective means of making a concrete diagnosis. [2]
Treatment
Upon experiencing the symptoms, a person must seek fresh air without delay. He or she must be taken right away to the hospital. Medical treatment involves the administration of high-dose oxygen with monitoring of carbon monoxide levels in the blood. [2]
Prevention
An alarm may be installed to detect high levels of carbon monoxide as it would serve as first line protection. [2]
Prognosis
Prognosis varies from person to person. Some do not develop complications whereas some bear long term injury to the brain leading to memory problems, difficulty in concentration and other neurologic consequences. In severe carbon monoxide poisoning, death can occur. [2]
References:
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carbonmonoxidepoisoning.html
- http://www.emedicinehealth.com/carbon_monoxide_poisoning/article_em.htm
- http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/learn/carbon_monoxide_kills.aspx
- http://www.thirdage.com/hc/c/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-risk-factors
- http://cehtp.org/page.jsp?page_key=443
- http://www.carbon-monoxide-survivor.com/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-risk-factors-for-ongoing-effects.html
Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT):
Recommendation: Strongly in Favor (HBOT has been shown to be effective in treating carbon monoxide poisoning)
Grade of Evidence: High Quality of Evidence
* www.gradeworkinggroup.org