Carbon monoxide poisoning
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Carbon monoxide, a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas is a product of incomplete combustion of petroleum or natural gas.
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Carbon monoxide is toxic because inhalation reduces the level of oxygen that is carried by the blood throughout the body. This means that organs and cells are effectively starved of oxygen.
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In the home faulty fires and central heating systems are common sources of carbon monoxide. Problems typically arise due to poor ventilation and the subsequent accumulation of dangerous levels of carbon dioxide which can be inhaled.
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In 2007/2008 the HSE reported 150 incidents involving carbon monoxide poisoning. (http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/tables/gs1.htm)
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Mild exposure produces symptoms which include headache, dizziness and nausea, all of which can be mistaken for influenza. Irregular breathing, hyperventilation, drowsiness and difficulties breathing are some of the symptoms that can occur as a result of higher exposures to carbon monoxide.
5 less commonly known facts about carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide has a much stronger affinity for the heme sites which are present in hemoglobin than oxygen, giving rise to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin.
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Diagnosing carbon monoxide poisoning can be done by a blood test which measures the levels of carboxyhemoglobin present.
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Treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning includes the administering of 100% oxygen to the victim.
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In rare cases symptoms which include confusion, memory loss and poor coordination can develop weeks after a severe exposure to carbon monoxide.
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Due to their higher metabolic rate children and infants have a greater sensitivity to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Did you know that symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning have been associated with haunted houses.
- One such case was documented in 1923 by an opthalamist whose patient complained of hearing and seeing strange things. Subsequent investigations discovered that it was a faulty furnace that was causing the release of carbon monoxide into the house.
