Recovery time after carbon monoxide poisoning. Consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide and the respiratory system

Carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide) is a product of incomplete combustion of any organic matter. Carbon monoxide cannot be detected without special devices. The main part of carbon monoxide is formed as a result of human activities: the work of vehicles, industrial enterprises. Carbon monoxide poisoning is more often acute in nature, but chronic intoxication is also possible. This type of intoxication is the leader among acute poisonings in Russia.

Acute carbon monoxide poisoning poses a threat not only to health, but also to human life. Untimely provision of first aid often leads to the saddest outcome. Pregnant women, children with bronchial asthma, people who abuse alcohol and smoke are most susceptible to poisoning.

Where and how can you get carbon monoxide poisoning

The most common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home are:

• Vehicle emissions. Tragedies are especially common in winter period, when the car engine warms up for a long time in a closed or poorly ventilated garage.
• Incorrect operation of the furnace equipment (early closing of the furnace damper), faulty chimneys.
• Fires, being in a smoky room.

Carbon monoxide poisoning often occurs in production (motor transport enterprises, work with gas equipment, etc.).

The mechanism of the harmful effects of carbon monoxide on the human body

The pathogenesis of carbon monoxide intoxication is due to the fact that its molecules bind to blood hemoglobin, forming carboxyhemoglobin. This process prevents the normal binding and transfer of oxygen through the bloodstream to organs and tissues.

As a result, the body experiences general hypoxia. Acute oxygen deficiency develops, primarily cerebral. Carbon monoxide molecules also react with myoglobin, resulting in muscle weakness and severe heart failure.

Symptoms

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are largely determined by the concentration that a person is exposed to and the duration of that exposure. So, when the content of carbon monoxide in the inhaled air is 0.08%, a headache, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, and suffocation are observed. At concentrations up to 0.32%, convulsions, paralysis are observed, and a coma occurs. If medical care is not provided, death occurs within half an hour. If the concentration of carbon monoxide in the inhaled air reaches 1%, the person loses consciousness after 2-3 breaths, death occurs within 3 minutes.

For mild poisoning, the following symptoms are characteristic:

• headache;
• dizziness;
• noise in ears;
• difficulty breathing, chest pain;
• tachycardia;
• nausea, vomiting;
• confusion, hallucinations.

Severe forms of poisoning are characterized by the onset of coma, convulsions, impaired respiratory function, dilated pupils, cyanosis of the skin and mucous membranes. Developing heart failure and respiratory arrest is the cause of death in carbon monoxide intoxication.

First aid

Timely provided first aid helps to save the life of the victim, reduce the risk of complications. First of all, it is necessary to stop the effect of carbon monoxide on the victim, ensure the supply of fresh air (take the person out into the street, open the windows and doors in the room), lay the victim on his side. In case of loss of consciousness, give a breath with a cotton swab moistened with ammonia. To improve blood circulation, rub the chest and back. In case of violation of cardiac activity (respiratory arrest), conduct an indirect heart massage.

As an antidote, oxygen is used (using an oxygen mask), acyzol. It is advisable to carry out these activities before the arrival of an ambulance. An accurate diagnosis is established by a blood test.

Treatment and prevention

In the treatment of carbon monoxide intoxication, infusion treatment, anticonvulsants, and heart medications are used. In medical institutions, hyperbaric oxygenation is used, based on the use of oxygen under high pressure in special pressure chambers. The course of treatment is long-term, which is associated with damage to the whole organism.

The consequences of acute carbon monoxide poisoning are quite serious, even in the case of a favorable outcome for the victim. As a rule, the following pathologies develop:

• coma;
• myocardial infarction;
• cardiovascular insufficiency;
• violation of cerebral hemodynamics;
• swelling of the brain;
• strokes;
• impaired vision, hearing, speech;
• pulmonary edema;
• pneumonia.

To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, you should follow safety precautions at work, equip garages with ventilation, and observe safety measures when operating furnace and gas equipment.

Update: October 2018

Carbon monoxide poisoning refers to acute pathological conditions that develop as a result of the ingestion of a certain concentration of carbon monoxide into the human body. This condition is life-threatening and without qualified medical assistance can be fatal.

Carbon monoxide (CO, carbon monoxide) is a product of combustion and enters the atmosphere in any of its forms. Having no smell and taste, the substance does not manifest its presence in the air in any way, it easily penetrates through walls, soil and filter materials.

Therefore, excess CO concentrations can only be detected with the help of special devices, and in the worst case, in a rapidly developing clinic. In urban air, the main contribution to the concentration of this hazardous substance is made by exhaust gases from automobile internal combustion engines.

Action on the body

• CO enters the bloodstream 200 times faster than O 2 and enters into an active bond with blood hemoglobin. As a result, carboxyhemoglobin is formed - a substance that has a stronger bond with hemoglobin than oxyhemoglobin (oxygen in combination with hemoglobin). This substance blocks the process of oxygen transfer to tissue cells, causing hemic type hypoxia.
• CO binds to myoglobin (a protein in skeletal and cardiac muscle), reducing the pumping function of the heart and causing muscle weakness.
• In addition, carbon monoxide enters into oxidative reactions and violates the biochemical balance in tissues.

Where are cases of CO poisoning possible?

• On fires.
• In production, where CO is used in the reactions of synthesis of substances (phenol, acetone).
• In gasified premises operating gas equipment(gas stoves, water heaters, heat generators) with insufficient ventilation or insufficient supply air required for gas combustion.
• Garages, tunnels and other poorly ventilated areas where vehicle exhaust fumes can accumulate.
• When you stay near busy highways for a long time.
• At the time of leakage of lighting gas at home.
• When untimely (early) closed stove barriers of the home stove, stove in the bath, fireplace.
• Long term use kerosene lamp in an unventilated area.
• The use of low-quality air in breathing apparatus.

Risk groups (with hypersensitivity to CO)

Signs of poisoning depending on the concentration of CO

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

The mechanism of occurrence of symptoms

Neurological symptoms

• The brain and nerve cells are most sensitive to hypoxia, so headache, nausea, dizziness, etc. are a signal that nerve cells suffer from oxygen starvation.
• More severe neurological symptoms (convulsions, loss of consciousness) occur against the background of deep damage to the nervous structures up to irreversible.

Cardiovascular symptoms

The lack of oxygen begins to be compensated by more intense cardiac activity (tachycardia), however, the occurrence of pain in the heart suggests that the heart muscle is also experiencing hypoxia. Acute pain indicates a complete cessation of oxygen supply to the myocardium.

Respiratory symptoms

Increased respiration also refers to compensatory mechanisms, but the defeat of the respiratory center in case of severe poisoning leads to superficial, ineffective respiratory movements.

Skin symptoms

The red-blue shade of the scalp and mucous membranes indicates an increased, compensatory blood flow to the head.

Consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning

With mild and moderate degrees of severity of poisoning, the patient may be disturbed for a long time by headaches, dizziness, memory and intelligence loss, emotional instability, which is associated with damage to the gray and white matter of the brain.

Severe complications are most often irreversible and often lead to death:

• skin-trophic disorders (edema followed by tissue necrosis);
• subarachnoid hemorrhages;
• violation of cerebral hemodynamics;
• swelling of the brain;
• polyneuritis;
• impaired vision and hearing to complete loss;
• myocardial infarction;
• severe pneumonia complicating coma.

First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning

Pre-hospital care implies stopping the contact of the victim with poison gas and restoring vital functions. First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning should exclude the poisoning of someone who is trying to provide this very help. Ideally, you should put on a gas mask and only then go into the room where the victim is located.

• Remove or remove the injured person from the room where there is an increased concentration of CO. This is the activity that must be done first, since with each breath intensify pathological changes in organism.
• summon ambulance in any condition of the patient, even if he jokes and laughs. Perhaps this is a consequence of the action of CO on the vital centers of the central nervous system, and not a sign of health.
• With a mild degree of poisoning, give a person a strong sweet tea to drink, warm and ensure peace.
• In the absence or confusion of consciousness - lay on a flat surface on its side, unfasten the collar, belt, provide fresh air. Give a sniff of cotton wool with ammonia at a distance of 1 cm.
• In the absence of cardiac or respiratory activity, perform artificial respiration and massage the sternum in the projection of the heart.
  

What to do in case of fire poisoning?

If it so happened that people remained in the burning room, you should not try to save them on your own - this will lead to an increase in the number of victims of the emergency and nothing more! You should immediately call the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Even 2-3 breaths of CO poisoned air can be lethal, so no wet rags and filtration masks can protect a person who comes to the rescue. Only a gas mask can protect against the deadly action of CO!

Therefore, the rescue of people in such a situation should be trusted to professionals - the EMERCOM team.

Treatment

If a person is in a critical condition, the ambulance team carries out a set of resuscitation measures. In the first minutes, the antidote Acizol 6% is administered by intramuscular injection in a volume of 1 ml. The patient is taken to the hospital (intensive care unit).

In a hospital, the patient is provided with complete rest. They organize breathing with pure oxygen with a partial pressure of 1.5-2 atm or carbogen (95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide) for 3-6 hours.

Further therapy is aimed at restoring the functioning of the central nervous system and other organs and depends on the severity of the condition and the reversibility of the pathological reactions that have occurred.

Prevention of CO poisoning

• All work associated with the risk of CO poisoning should be carried out only in well-ventilated areas.
• Check dampers for stoves and fireplaces. Never close them when the firewood is not completely burned.
• Install autonomous gas detectors in rooms with a potential risk of CO poisoning.
• In case of possible contact with CO, take 1 capsule of Acizol half an hour before the likely contact with gas. Protection lasts 2-2.5 hours after taking the capsule.

Azizol is a domestic drug, a quick and effective antidote against acute carbon monoxide poisoning in lethal doses. It prevents the formation of carboxyhemoglobin substance and accelerates the excretion of CO from the body. As soon as possible, intramuscular administration of Acizol to victims significantly increases their chances of survival and increases the effectiveness of subsequent resuscitation and medical measures.

Carbon monoxide poisoning- This is a pathological process that has a severe form of intoxication syndrome. Without proper medical care, death can occur. An increased concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) blocks the delivery of oxygen in the bloodstream, so the whole body as a whole and especially the brain suffers. Unfortunately, cerebral hypoxia is irreversible.

Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it is almost imperceptible when inhaled, does not have a pronounced unpleasant odor, color. In order to help a person with carbon monoxide poisoning, you need to know the symptoms, methods of first aid and treatment. After all, intoxication occurs quickly and has serious consequences: all organs of a person are affected, often this ends with his death.

First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning of people who accidentally happened to be nearby will be able to restore life to those in trouble, and save them from serious consequences. Such intoxication is classified by ICD-10 code T58 and requires the introduction of an antidote.

What happens in carbon monoxide poisoning?

After entering the blood, carbon monoxide blocks hemoglobin, forming a complex with it - carboxyhemoglobin, which is deprived of the ability to carry oxygen to tissues. This leads to oxygen starvation every cell of the human body, but first of all, under such conditions, the brain suffers from hypoxia. In addition, carbon monoxide is actively involved in various oxidative reactions, which also negatively affects tissues and organs.

The severity of the clinical picture of carbon monoxide intoxication directly depends on how much a dangerous substance a person inhaled, how much carboxyhemoglobin was formed in his blood, and, accordingly, how much hemoglobin cannot perform its function. So, the first symptoms of poisoning appear if 10-20% of hemoglobin is blocked, but if 50% or more, the person simply falls into a coma and dies with untimely first aid.

When does carbon monoxide poisoning occur?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that fills the air space during combustion processes and interacts intensively with hemoglobin, preventing the penetration of oxygen into the tissues of the body, which stimulates the occurrence of hypoxia. When CO enters the human body, it begins to take part in oxidation reactions, thereby changing the biochemical balance.

The big danger with carbon monoxide poisoning is that it is almost impossible to recognize them: the effect of carbon monoxide is practically not felt. Therefore, the only way to protect your health from carbon monoxide poisoning is to understand when such a threat occurs, and then prevent these incidents.

Precedents when first aid is urgently required for carbon monoxide poisoning happen in ordinary life:

• Close proximity to highways, closed parking spaces. Vehicle exhaust contains approximately 1-3% carbon monoxide, and 0.1% CO in the air is sufficient to produce severe carbon monoxide poisoning.
• When working for a long time in the garage with behind closed doors, for example, when the vehicle engine is warming up for a long time.
• In case of poor ventilation of heating columns or if such equipment is located in cramped rooms, i.e. in conditions where the level of oxygen content decreases, therefore, the content of carbon monoxide increases after the combustion of oxygen and the likelihood of poisoning increases.
• In case of violation of the rules for the use of stoves in bath rooms, country cottages with furnace heating systems. If a person closes the stove damper before the set time, then there is a high probability of becoming a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• In case of fire.
• When working in hazardous industries.

What is the danger of carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a product of combustion various substances, it is highly toxic and poisonous. When inhaled, it spreads rapidly and enters the bloodstream. If a little more than 1% of this gas accumulates in the air, a person will not live even 5 minutes. It happens that people "burn out" due to improper use of stove heating.

The disease under the ICD-10 code T58 is a mortal danger for the following reasons:

1. Its presence in the room is imperceptible; when inhaled, it is not felt.
2. It is able to seep through thick layers of any substances - through the ground, wooden partitions and doors.
3. Not retained by porous gas mask filters.

How does gas enter the body?

The main reason for the rapid death of the victim from CO2 is due to the fact that the gas completely blocks the flow of O2 to the cells of vital organs. At the same time, red blood cells (erythrocytes) die. Hypoxia sets in.

The brain cells are the first to feel the lack of air and nervous system. There is a severe headache, vomiting, loss of balance. Toxic gas penetrates the protein of skeletal muscles and heart muscle. The rhythm of contractions gets off, the blood flows unevenly, the person begins to suffocate. The heart beats very weakly and often. Movements are hindered.

Symptoms of the cause of poisoning and treatment

The first signs of intoxication appear the sooner, the higher the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere and the longer a person inhales poisoned air. Based on these conditions, the degree of intoxication is determined.

At 1.2 degrees of poisoning, the following symptoms appear:

• the whole head hurts, with pockets of unbearable pain in the temples and frontal part;
• noise in ears;
• loss of coordination and balance;
• vomit;
• blurred vision, blurred vision;
• lethargy of consciousness;
• temporary weakening of hearing and vision;
• short faint.

Severe carbon monoxide damage will be accompanied by obvious painful symptoms:

• the person is unconscious;
• convulsions;
• coma;
• uncontrolled urination.

Heart rhythms with mild poisoning become more frequent, aching pains appear in the region of the heart. With the third degree of damage, the pulse reaches 140 beats per minute, but very weak. Often, a real threat of myocardial infarction follows later.

In the process of carbon monoxide poisoning, the respiratory organs are affected first. If the dose of intoxication is insignificant, then shortness of breath, rapid shallow breathing is observed. In severe cases, the respiratory function is severely impaired, a person inhales air intermittently and in small portions.

Changes in the skin and mucous membranes with CO2 intoxication are not noticeable. Sometimes the face and upper body turns red. With significant poisoning, the skin turns pale, the mucous membranes lose their normal appearance. The blood supply of the epidermis, as well as the whole body, is disturbed.

The condition of a person who has been poisoned by fumes is different depending on the time of his stay in the room, poisoned by a toxic substance, and its amount in the air. There are light, medium, severe harm to health, pathological or chronic poisoning. On initial stage a person can feel nauseating urges, muscle weakness, hearing loss, body tremors, pulsations in the head, before fainting.

Remember that professional medical assistance must be called at the first sign of feeling unwell. Do not wait until the person loses consciousness. With an average degree of poisoning, there may be weakness of the body, a sharp decrease in physical and mental activity, intolerance to harsh light, sound or smells, memory lapses, tremors in the body, or impaired muscle coordination.

With prolonged or concentrated exposure, a serious condition of the patient is observed. Its signs are a coma, accompanied by loss of consciousness, involuntary bowel movements, convulsions, a significant increase in body temperature, problems with breathing and pulse. If the person is not brought to his senses in a short period of time, due to paralysis respiratory system death may occur.

Causes of carbon monoxide poisoning

The following causes of carbon monoxide poisoning can be distinguished:

• being in a closed garage where workers carry out work with a running car;
• inhalation of car exhaust gases when near busy highways;
• improper use of home stoves, boilers: if you close the damper early, then there is a high probability of getting burned from carbon monoxide poisoning.
• in case of fires in apartments and houses;
• in chemical industries.

The considered causes of intoxication are the most common. As you can see, carbon monoxide poisoning very often occurs due to our carelessness.

IN medical practice There are cases of atypical manifestations of CO2 poisoning:

• a sharp drop in blood pressure, anemic upper layers skin, fainting;
• a state of euphoria - the patient behaves animatedly, excitedly, inadequately reacts to real events. Then the activity abruptly disappears, there is a loss of consciousness, which leads to cardiac arrest and cessation of breathing.

What are the consequences of gas poisoning?

The most unpleasant consequence of carbon monoxide poisoning is the appearance of neuropsychic symptoms after a latent period of poisoning, which can last from 1 to 6 weeks. In 10-30% of people after severe carbon monoxide poisoning, symptoms occur in the form of memory impairment, personality changes, euphoria, lack of self-criticism and the ability to abstract thinking, inability to nitrate. Carbon monoxide poisoning in pregnant women poses a serious threat to the life and neuropsychic development of the child.

After CO poisoning, inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract often appear, and in severe cases, even pulmonary edema and pulmonary hemorrhage. In acute poisoning, toxic acute liver failure, skin and trophic disorders, renal failure, myoglobinuria that occurs without visible reasons. Sensory disturbances, especially hearing and vision, are possible.

Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning depend on the amount of carbon monoxide released into the air and the general health of the person. Identify a range of symptoms general group characteristic of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• pain in the head, tapping in the temporal region;
• urge to nausea;
• decreased alertness;
• decline in concentration;
• craving for sleep;
• red rashes on the skin;
• inflammation of the mucous membranes;
• tearing;
• cutting pains in the eyes;
• pulse failures;
• sensation of pain in the chest;
• dyspnea,
• the appearance of a cough;
• dryness in the throat;
• high blood pressure;
• possible hallucinations.

With a mild degree of carbon monoxide intoxication, the baby may experience the following symptoms: headache in the forehead and temples, "throbbing in the temples", tinnitus, dizziness, vomiting, muscle weakness. There may be an increase in heart rate and respiration, as well as fainting. Most early symptom- violation of color perception and a decrease in the speed of reactions.

With moderate intoxication, loss of consciousness occurs for several hours or large memory lapses. The child may experience trembling, impaired coordination of movements. A severe form of intoxication is characterized by a protracted coma, stiffness of the muscles of the limbs, brain damage, clonic and tonic convulsions, intermittent breathing, temperature 39-40 ° C. This is a very dangerous condition, as death is possible from respiratory paralysis.

In severe intoxication, visual impairment, skin and hair damage, changes in the respiratory and circulatory system, and blood changes can occur.

How to help with carbon monoxide poisoning in a child?

First you need to take out a sick baby in a supine position on Fresh air. Then immediately call an ambulance! Experts will be able to accurately determine the degree of intoxication. If doctors recommended home treatment, then the main “medicine” for the child will be complete rest. Spend at home warming the limbs of the baby (heaters, warm mustard plasters to the legs will help).

After intoxication, procedures for prolonged inhalation of oxygen are also good. More often carry out airing of the room and wet cleaning. Aromatherapy sessions are also good. With severe carbon monoxide intoxication, the child needs urgent hyperbaric special oxygen therapy.

How to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning?

It must be remembered that carbon monoxide is present everywhere in environment and is a "silent killer", has neither smell nor color, i.e. cannot be detected. Smoking is also a source of carbon monoxide. What not to do in Everyday life to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning?

1. Stay in the bathroom for a long time with the gas water heater turned on, if it is there, for example, fill the bath with water while in it, read, smoke, fall asleep in the bath.
2. Allow use hot water in the kitchen if anyone is in the bathroom, and a common column is also placed in the bathroom.
3. Heat your apartment with gas stove(oven or all included burners).
4. Boil, fry and bake with the simultaneous operation of all 4-5 burners of the gas stove.
5. Heat the room with a stove that has slots.
6. Close the oven damper while the combustion process is still in progress.
7. Melt the oven overnight (without control).
8. Repairing a car in a garage with the engine running and windows and doors closed.
9. Smoking while lying in bed (you can fall asleep without extinguishing the cigarette, which will cause a fire and carbon monoxide poisoning).
10. Take a bath, do laundry, cook while intoxicated (boiling water, burning food, carbon monoxide poisoning).
11. Get distracted by other things while cooking.
12. To engage independently (without involving professional help) in the repair of gas and ventilation devices.

First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning

What to do in case of carbon monoxide poisoning? Action algorithm:

• In case of carbon monoxide poisoning, the victim must first of all call for emergency assistance, no matter what state the person is in. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may not appear immediately, and the lost time will seriously affect the patient's condition. Only a medical professional can reliably assess his state of health. How deeply the poisons have penetrated into the blood, no one can say. Providing first aid for carbon monoxide poisoning and the correct actions of others will reduce the possibility of serious consequences. Time cannot be missed.
• Helping the patient before the arrival of doctors is to isolate him from a burning building with a high concentration of CO2. Immediately it is necessary to close the source of distribution of poisonous gas, open windows, doors, transport a person outside the room with fumes. If possible, try to increase the supply of oxygen to the patient's lungs. You can use an oxygen bag, an oxygen concentrator, a special gas mask.
• These actions are possible if the devices are nearby. Usually, they don't exist. You need to know how to provide first aid for carbon monoxide poisoning. The victim should be laid on his side horizontally, slightly raising his head. Then it is necessary to relax the upper clothing that restricts the breath, the buttons on the collar and chest, remove heavy, dense things from it.
• It is necessary to bring the patient to his senses as soon as possible. Then the blood rushes intensely to the brain. For this procedure, you need to apply ammonia which should be in any car first aid kit. Cotton wool soaked in it should be brought to the nostrils. To improve blood flow, mustard plasters can be placed on the chest and back. This cannot be done on the projection of the heart. If the person has regained consciousness, he should be given hot sweet tea or coffee to increase blood pressure.
• In case of cardiac arrest, before the doctor arrives, you can try to “start the engine” with a manual massage. They do it like this - put the palms on the heart area and make quick strong pressure on the sternum (30 times). Before and after 2 times artificial respiration is done mouth-to-mouth. If a person is conscious, he breathes on his own, he must be covered with a warm blanket and ensure peace. Body temperature should be controlled. In this position, the victim must wait for the arrival of the doctor. He diagnoses according to the ICD-10 code T58.

First aid

The doctor, providing medical assistance on the spot, must immediately introduce an antidote to the patient. If a person feels normal, then hospitalization is not required. The victim is advised to see a doctor the next day to rule out the possibility of complications.

Definitely, the following categories of those poisoned with CO2 should go to the hospital for treatment after PMP:

1. Women in an "interesting" position.
2. People who are registered with a cardiologist or have experienced loss of consciousness.
3. Victims who have noticeable symptoms - hallucinations, delusions, disorientation.
4. If the body temperature is below normal.

Often poisoning ends in the death of the victim. But people nearby can help to avoid this.

To undergo full rehabilitation, the victim must be under the supervision of a doctor on sick leave for some time according to the ICD-10 T58 code.

In order not to be poisoned by carbon monoxide, helping in case of fire, it is necessary to protect the respiratory tract with a mask made of wet fabric, and not to be in the smoke for a long time.

Treatment after carbon monoxide poisoning according to the ICD-10 T58 code is to remove the effects of damage by toxic toxins. This is the cleansing of organs and the restoration of their functions.

The main causes of carbon monoxide poisoning

All types of appliances that operate on the basis of combustible fuel emit carbon monoxide during operation. And if these mechanisms are out of order or damaged, health problems cannot be avoided.

The main danger is:

• A car if left running indoors. The gas emitted by it will gradually fill the entire space.
• Various household heating appliances if installed or used incorrectly.
• Buildings where the chimney does not work properly, carbon monoxide does not pass through the mine and stagnates in residential premises.
• Household fires. Frequent cases poisoning with fumes, if the person was in close proximity to the source of ignition.
• Grill on charcoal. In gazebos and enclosed spaces where the device is installed, harmful gas accumulates. Therefore, it is imperative to provide the grill with a good ventilation system.
• Scuba gear and other breathing apparatus. Care must be taken to ensure that they have a quality supply of fresh air. Read more:

In addition, proper ventilation should be ensured in new houses or apartments. Household carbon monoxide accumulates over time, and if its natural outflow does not occur, it will harm the body.

Folk remedies to eliminate gas poisoning

Recipes of folk remedies:

1. Cranberry-lingonberry infusion. Required: 150 grams of dried cranberries and 200 grams of cranberries. The ingredients are thoroughly rubbed. After they need to pour 350 milliliters of boiling water. The broth should be infused for 2-3 hours, then it must be filtered. The remedy is used 5-6 times a day, 2 tablespoons.
2. Knotweed infusion. Helps to remove harmful toxins from the body as soon as possible. Preparation: 3 tablespoons of chopped dry herbs pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Insist 3 hours, strain. Take 1 glass 3 times a day.
3. Alcoholic infusion of Rhodiola rosea extract. Tincture can be bought at any pharmacy kiosk. Recommended dosage: Dissolve 7-12 drops of the extract in a glass of water. Drink twice a day for half a glass. You can drink the infusion with clean water, sweetened with a small amount of honey.
4. Dandelion Root Infusion. This plant has an excellent antitoxic effect. Pour 10 grams of dry crushed raw materials with 250 milliliters of boiling water. Cook over low heat for 20 minutes. Then let the broth brew for another 40 minutes. Strain, dilute with 100 milliliters of warm boiled water. Drink 3-4 times a day, 1 tablespoon.

Carbon monoxide poisoning- an acute pathological condition that develops as a result of the ingress of carbon monoxide into the human body, is dangerous to life and health, and without qualified medical assistance can lead to death.

Carbon monoxide enters atmospheric air for all types of combustion. In cities, mainly in the composition of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. Carbon monoxide actively binds to hemoglobin, forming carboxyhemoglobin, and blocks the transfer of oxygen to tissue cells, which leads to hemic type hypoxia. Carbon monoxide is also involved in oxidative reactions, disrupting the biochemical balance in tissues.

Poisoning is possible:

during fires;

in production, where carbon monoxide is used to synthesize a number of organic substances (acetone, methyl alcohol, phenol, etc.);

in garages with poor ventilation, in other unventilated or poorly ventilated rooms, tunnels, as the car exhaust contains up to 1-3% CO according to the standards and over 10% with poor adjustment of the carburetor engine;

when you stay on a busy road or near it for a long time. On major highways, the average concentration of CO exceeds the poisoning threshold;

at home in case of leakage of lighting gas and in case of untimely closed stove dampers in rooms with stove heating (houses, baths);

when using low-quality air in breathing apparatus.

General information

Carbon monoxide poisoning ranks fourth in the list of the most frequently observed poisonings (after alcohol, drug and drug poisoning). Carbon monoxide, or carbon monoxide (CO), is found wherever conditions exist for the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing substances. CO is a colorless gas that has no taste, its smell is very weak, almost imperceptible. Burns with a bluish flame. A mixture of 2 volumes of CO and 1 volume of O2 explodes on ignition. CO does not react with water, acids and alkalis. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so carbon monoxide poisoning most often goes unnoticed. The mechanism of action of carbon monoxide on a person is that when it enters the blood, it binds hemoglobin cells. Then hemoglobin loses its ability to carry oxygen. And the longer a person breathes carbon monoxide, the less efficient hemoglobin remains in his blood, and the less oxygen the body receives. A person begins to suffocate, a headache appears, consciousness is confused. And if you do not go out into the fresh air in time (or do not take out the already unconscious person into the fresh air), then a lethal outcome is not ruled out. In the case of carbon monoxide poisoning, it takes a long time for the hemoglobin cells to be completely cleared of carbon monoxide. The higher the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air, the faster the life-threatening concentration of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood is created. For example, if the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air is 0.02-0.03%, then for 5-6 hours of inhalation of such air, a concentration of carboxyhemoglobin of 25-30% will be created, if the concentration of CO in the air is 0.3-0.5% , then the lethal content of carboxyhemoglobin at the level of 65-75% will be reached after 20-30 minutes of a person's stay in such an environment. Carbon monoxide poisoning can appear abruptly or slowly, depending on the concentration. At very high concentrations, poisoning occurs quickly, characterized by rapid loss of consciousness, convulsions and respiratory arrest. In the blood taken from the region of the left ventricle of the heart or from the aorta, a high concentration of carboxyhemoglobin is found - up to 80%. With a low concentration of carbon monoxide, symptoms develop gradually: muscle weakness appears; dizziness; noise in ears; nausea; vomit; drowsiness; sometimes, on the contrary, short-term increased mobility; then a disorder of coordination of movements; rave; hallucinations; loss of consciousness; convulsions; coma and death from paralysis of the respiratory center. The heart may still beat for some time after breathing has stopped. There have been cases of people dying from the consequences of poisoning even 2-3 weeks after the poisoning event.

Acute effects of carbon monoxide poisoning relative to ambient concentration in parts per million (concentration, ppm): 35 ppm (0.0035%) - headache and dizziness within six to eight hours of continuous exposure 100 ppm (0.01%) - slight headache after two to three hours of exposure 200 ppm (0.02%) - slight headache after two to three hours of exposure, loss of crit 400 ppm (0.04%) - frontal headache after one to two hours of exposure 800 ppm (0.08%) - dizziness, nausea and convulsions after 45 minutes of exposure; loss of senses after 2 hours 1600 ppm (0.16%) - headache, tachycardia, dizziness, nausea after 20 minutes of exposure; death in less than 2 hours 3200 ppm (0.32%) - headache, dizziness, nausea after 5-10 minutes of exposure; death after 30 minutes 6400 ppm (0.64%) - headache, dizziness after 1-2 minutes of exposure; convulsions, respiratory arrest and death in 20 minutes 12800 ppm (1.28%) - unconscious after 2-3 breaths, death in less than three minutes

Concentration 0.1 ppm - natural atmospheric level (MOPITT) 0.5 - 5 ppm - average level in houses 5 - 15 ppm - next to a properly adjusted gas stove in a house 100 - 200 ppm - from exhaust gases from cars in the central square of Mexico City 5000 ppm - in the smoke from a wood stove 7000 ppm - in the warm exhaust gases of cars without a catalyst

The diagnosis of poisoning is confirmed by measuring the level of carbon monoxide in the blood. This can be determined by measuring the amount of carboxyhemoglobin compared to the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. The ratio of carboxyhemoglobin in the hemoglobin molecule can be up to 5% on average, in smokers who smoke two packs a day, levels up to 9% are possible. Intoxication appears when the ratio of carboxyhemoglobin to hemoglobin is above 25%, and the risk of mortality at a level of more than 70%.

Accidents can happen to anyone and are almost impossible to prevent. But each of us needs to have information on how to behave if such a nuisance happened to someone close to us or just to a random stranger. So a fairly common and at the same time dangerous accident is carbon monoxide poisoning, symptoms, the treatment of which should be known in advance.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur in different situations, for example, by inhalation, in case of carbon monoxide poisoning in everyday life (due to leakage of domestic gas or malfunction of appliances, etc.). Also, such an accident can occur due to poisoning in a fire.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

Manifestations of carbon monoxide poisoning depend on its concentration in the inhaled air, as well as on the duration of its exposure to the human body.

With a mild form of carbon monoxide poisoning, a person begins to have a headache, which is shingles in nature, and can be localized in the temples or in the forehead area. The victim is worried about dizziness, noise sensations in the ears and an unpleasant flicker before the eyes. Consciousness becomes clouded, coordination of movements is disturbed, visual acuity and hearing may decrease. In some cases, there is a short-term loss of consciousness, and nausea often occurs, turning into vomiting.

Many victims of carbon monoxide poisoning complain of a rapid pulse, palpitations, and pressing pain in the region of the heart. Breathing becomes frequent, shortness of breath occurs. When exposed to carbon monoxide, the skin of the face, as well as the mucous membranes, turns bright red or pink.

With a severe degree of carbon monoxide poisoning, the victim loses consciousness, he may begin to have convulsions. Sometimes pathological processes cause coma, involuntary urination or defecation. The pulse is quite frequent, but weakly palpable. The likelihood of development increases. The victim's breathing becomes shallow and intermittent, the skin and mucous membranes look pale with an unexpressed pinkish tint.

Carbon monoxide poisoning - emergency

The first step is to stop the aggressive effect of carbon monoxide on a person: take it to fresh air or use an oxygen mask (you can also use a gas mask with a hopcalite cartridge). In the room, it is necessary to dissolve the windows and doors for ventilation.

Clear the airway of the victim, then remove the tie from his neck, unbutton his shirt, etc. It is best to lay the person on his side.

To stimulate the respiratory processes, bring the patient to consciousness and activate blood flow to the head area, let the victim smell ammonia. But do not bring it closer to the nose by less than one centimeter. Rub the patient's chest, you can place mustard plasters on your back and chest - this is how you stimulate.
Give the patient hot tea and coffee - to increase the tone of the nervous system and to stimulate breathing.

If necessary, the victim is carried out. At the same time, for thirty clicks on the sternum area, two breaths are taken.

After that, it is necessary to lay the patient on his side and warm him well, protecting him from hypothermia. And, of course, call an ambulance! In such actions, the provision of first aid in case of gas poisoning consists.

Carbon monoxide poisoning - treatment of the victim

Treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning by doctors begins with the use of an antidote -. For carbon monoxide poisoning, doctors use one hundred percent oxygen, it is applied at 10-15 l / min and served through a mask adjacent to the face. If the patient is unconscious, specialists carry out intubation and transfer the victim to a ventilator (artificial lung ventilation) again with one hundred percent oxygen.

Treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning also includes infusion therapy. It is aimed at correcting hemodynamic disorders and. Patients are intravenously injected with sodium bicarbonate (soda) - a four percent solution in the amount of four hundred milliliters. Hemodez is also carried out or the introduction of polyionic solutions (quartosal, chlosol, acesol).

Therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning may involve the use of acyzol, an antidote for carbon monoxide. Such a tool helps to accelerate the breakdown of aggressive carboxyhemoglobin and promotes the addition of oxygen to hemoglobin. effectively reduces the toxic effect of carbon monoxide on the cells of the brain and the whole body. It is usually used for intramuscular injection, injecting one milliliter of the drug as early as possible after the poisoning has occurred. Re-introduction is carried out in an hour.

The victims are also prescribed vitamin preparations, they contribute to the reimbursement of energy costs. The drugs of choice are usually solutions of ascorbic acid (five percent in the amount of twenty milliliters) and glucose (forty percent in the amount of sixty milliliters). These drugs are administered intravenously.

Doctors who manage patients who have had carbon monoxide poisoning should be prepared for correction as well. Also, patients may develop convulsions and even coma.

With mild poisoning, it is quite possible to cope on an outpatient basis. If poisoning of moderate or severe severity has occurred, hospitalization is indispensable.

Carbon monoxide poisoning - home treatment

Coping with the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning can be done using traditional medicine. Treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning at home can be carried out after the patient has received qualified medical care and permission to return home.

Treatment after carbon monoxide poisoning with infusion of cranberries and lingonberries. Healers advise combining one hundred grams of dried berries with two hundred grams of lingonberries. Rub them well and combine with three hundred milliliters of boiling water. Infuse the medicine for two hours, then strain. Take an infusion of cranberries and lingonberries fifty milliliters six times a day.

Infusion of knotweed - use for carbon monoxide poisoning. To quickly remove aggressive substances from the body, prepare a dry one. Brew a couple of tablespoons of such crushed raw materials with half a liter of only boiled water. Insist for one to two hours, then strain. Take the finished drink in half a glass twice or thrice a day.

Rhodiola rosea extract - use for carbon monoxide poisoning. To improve the activity of the body after suffering poisoning, you can prepare an alcohol extract of Rhodiola rosea. It can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription. After carbon monoxide poisoning, you need to take a tincture of five to ten drops twice or thrice a day, dissolving such a volume of medicine in a small amount of water. The last reception should be carried out no later than seven in the evening. In parallel, you need to take water sweetened with honey.

Decoction of dandelion roots. Dandelion also has excellent antitoxic properties. Brew six grams of dried crushed raw materials with two hundred milliliters of boiling water and boil for a quarter of an hour. Then insist the medicine for another half hour. Strain the finished infusion and dilute it with warm, pre-boiled water to the initial volume. Take it in a tablespoon three times a day.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a dangerous condition that requires immediate first aid and adequate therapy under the supervision of doctors.