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Post about carbon monoxide poisoning. How carbon monoxide affects the human body. Reasons for the development of pathology

In our article we will examine the question of what to do in case of carbon monoxide poisoning? Not only his future health, but also whether he will remain alive often depends on how correctly and quickly first aid is provided to the victim.

What is carbon monoxide?

“The silent killer” is what people call carbon monoxide. This is one of the most powerful poisons, capable of killing a living creature in just a few minutes. The chemical formula of this gaseous compound is CO (one carbon atom and one oxygen atom). Another name for carbon monoxide is carbon monoxide. This air mixture has neither color nor odor.

CO is formed from any type of combustion: from burning fuel at thermal and power plants, from burning a fire or gas stove, from engine operation internal combustion, from a smoldering cigarette fire, etc.

The toxic properties of carbon monoxide have been known to mankind since ancient times. Our distant ancestors were well aware of how dangerous it is to turn off the stove draft when the wood is not completely burned out. Wanting to retain more heat, the unreasonable owner was in a hurry to close the damper, the whole family went to bed, and did not wake up the next morning.

With the development of civilization, the danger associated with carbon monoxide has not decreased. After all, now instead of stoves in homes modern people are actively working gas boilers and stoves, cars puff out toxic fumes on the streets and in garages, and reports periodically appear in the news about tragic accidents associated with CO poisoning.

How does carbon monoxide affect the human body?

Carbon monoxide has the ability to bind hemoglobin molecules, thereby preventing the blood from carrying oxygen. The longer a person breathes toxic air that contains carbon monoxide, the faster the pathological process develops. The substance carboxyhemoglobin is formed in the blood. The cells of the body do not receive life-giving oxygen, headache, the person begins to experience suffocation, consciousness is confused. The victim does not realize what is happening to him, in this case, self-providing first aid for carbon monoxide poisoning becomes impossible. Help must come from other people.

It takes quite a long time for hemoglobin to be completely cleared of carbon monoxide. The danger to life is directly related to the increase in CO concentration in the air and the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood. If the accumulation of carbon monoxide in the air is only 0.02-0.03%, then after 5-6 hours the content of carboxyhemoglobin in human blood will be 25-30%.

Rescue actions in case of carbon monoxide poisoning must be very fast, because if the CO concentration reaches only 0.5%, carboxyhemoglobin will increase to lethal values within 20-30 minutes.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

The toxic effects of CO on the body can be manifested by the following symptoms:

When a person is mildly poisoned by carbon monoxide, he may feel weakness, tinnitus, headache, nausea, and the urge to vomit. These signals are evidence of oxygen starvation that the brain experiences.
In case of moderate poisoning, the symptoms of intoxication increase. Tremors in the muscles, short-term memory loss, and loss of coordination of movements appear. A person may cease to distinguish colors, objects begin to appear in two in the eyes. Later, respiratory function and the functioning of the circulatory system are disrupted. The victim develops tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmia. If a person does not receive quick help at this stage, then loss of consciousness and subsequent death occurs.
Severe CO poisoning is accompanied by irreversible damage to brain cells. The victim may fall into a comatose state and remain there for a week or more. At this time, the patient experiences severe convulsive seizures, uncontrolled urination and defecation. Breathing is usually shallow and intermittent, body temperature rises to 38-39 degrees. Respiratory paralysis and death may occur. The survival prognosis depends on the depth and duration of the coma.

When can CO poisoning occur?

With normal ventilation and a well-functioning exhaust hood, carbon monoxide is quickly removed from the room without causing any harm to the people there. However, according to statistics, more than one and a half million people die from carbon monoxide poisoning in the world every year. In some cases, this happens for reasons beyond a person’s control, for example, during a fire. Usually, people caught in a fire lose consciousness, inhaling the deadly gas, and cannot get out of the fire trap themselves.

CO poisoning is also possible in the following cases and circumstances:

In rooms with stove or fireplace heating (residential buildings, bathhouses, etc.) in case of untimely closing of the exhaust dampers or poor exhaust.
In rooms where gas appliances operate (water-flowing heaters, stoves, gas boilers, heat generators with an open combustion chamber); if there is insufficient air flow necessary for gas combustion, as well as if the draft in the chimney is impaired.
IN production workshops, where CO is used as a working substance for the synthesis of certain organic substances (phenol, methyl alcohol, acetone, etc.).
If you spend a long time next to a busy highway or directly on it (on most large highways, CO levels in the air can exceed the permissible standards several times).
In garages, with the car engine running and no ventilation.

Carbon monoxide poisoning - first aid

It is important to act very quickly, remembering that the countdown is not just minutes, but even seconds. What should you do first in case of carbon monoxide poisoning? The sequence of actions should be as follows:

Quickly open all windows and doors and carry the person out of the room.
Call a specialized ambulance team. When making a call, you need to describe the problem as clearly as possible to the operator taking the call, so that doctors with the necessary equipment are sent to the victim.
If a person loses consciousness due to carbon monoxide poisoning, it is necessary to lay him on his side. Next, bring a cotton wool soaked in ammonia to his nose (at a distance of 2 cm from the nostrils) and gently wave it. Remember that if you bring ammonia too close, the powerful effects of ammonia can lead to paralysis of the respiratory center.
If a person is not breathing, then artificial respiration must be started immediately. If the victim has not only lost consciousness, but also has no signs of cardiac activity, then artificial respiration should be supplemented with chest compressions. Such first aid for carbon monoxide poisoning should be done until the arrival of a medical team or until the person begins to actively show signs of life.
If the poisoned person is conscious, he must be laid down and try to ensure maximum influx fresh air. For this purpose, you can fan it with newspaper, turn on the air conditioner and fan. You should put a warm heating pad or mustard plasters at your feet. Alkaline drinking (per 1 liter) can bring considerable benefit to the victim warm water– 1 tbsp. spoon of soda).

We found out what to do in case of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to provide first aid. Now let's talk about one more thing important point: It is important for people involved in providing assistance to protect themselves. When removing a person from a poisoned room, you need to cover your airways with gauze or a handkerchief.

What treatment is provided in the hospital?

Victims who have received moderate or severe poisoning are subject to mandatory hospitalization. The main antidote is 100% oxygen. Its uninterrupted intake into the body is 9-16 l/min. occurs through a special mask placed on the patient’s face.

In severe cases, the victim undergoes tracheal intubation and is connected to a ventilator. In a hospital setting, infusion therapy is also carried out using a course of drips with sodium bicarbonate - this helps to correct hemodynamic disorders. Solutions "Chlosol" and "Quartasol" are also used for intravenous infusion.

Another drug used by doctors to help victims of carbon monoxide poisoning is Acizol. This drug is administered intramuscularly into the body. Its action is based on accelerating the breakdown of carboxyhemoglobin while simultaneously saturating the blood with oxygen. "Acyzol" reduces the toxic effect of CO on muscle tissue and nerve cells.

Providing assistance for carbon monoxide poisoning using folk remedies

Recipes below traditional medicine can be used at home for mild carbon monoxide poisoning. Here are some easy-to-make home remedies that have very effective antitoxic properties:

Dandelion tincture (only roots are used). To prepare the infusion, pour 10 g of finely ground dry raw materials into a glass of boiling water. Boil for about 20 minutes. and then leave for 40 minutes. Then strain and dilute with warm water (100 ml). Take the product 3 or 4 times a day, one tablespoon at a time.
Lingonberry-cranberry tincture. What to do after carbon monoxide poisoning with its help? First, for cooking you will need 200 g of lingonberries and 150 g of rose hips. The ingredients are ground as thoroughly as possible and 350 ml of boiling water is poured. Infuse the berries for 3 hours, then strain the product and consume 2 tbsp orally 5 to 6 times a day. spoons.
Tincture of knotweed herb. 3 tbsp. spoons of crushed dry knotweed are poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water. Leave for at least 3 hours, then strain and drink a glass 3 times a day.
Rhodiola rosea tincture with alcohol. You do not need to prepare this drug yourself; it is sold at any pharmacy. The method of administration is as follows: 7-12 drops are added to a glass of water. Drink half a glass twice a day.

Preventive measures to prevent CO poisoning

As already mentioned, carbon monoxide is often responsible for the death of people. To protect yourself and your loved ones, you need not only to know what to do in case of carbon monoxide poisoning, but also try to follow preventive measures, which include the following:

It is necessary to regularly check the condition of chimneys and ventilation shafts. It is especially important to pay attention to this before the start of the heating season.
Before using flammable fuel appliances, you should always check that they are in good working order. If a fault is identified in a timely manner, many problems can be avoided.
If the room has poor ventilation, additional measures must be taken to ventilate it regularly.
Do not start your car in a closed, unventilated garage and do not sleep in a car with the engine running.
Purchase a special sensor that responds to CO leaks and install it in your house or apartment.
Try to avoid being near busy highways, especially during their busiest hours.

Carbon monoxide sensor

As already mentioned, the presence of carbon monoxide in the air cannot be detected using one’s own senses. To protect yourself and your loved ones from harm, you can purchase a carbon monoxide detector. This small device will continuously monitor the composition of the air in the room. After all, first aid in case of carbon monoxide poisoning should be almost instantaneous, otherwise you may not have time.

If CO levels exceed the required norm, the sensor will notify the owners with sound and light signals. Such devices can be used for household and industrial purposes. The latter have a more complex structure and are designed for large areas.

Risk group

To some extent, we are all at risk and, under certain circumstances, can suffer from CO. Therefore, each of us should know well what to do in case of carbon monoxide poisoning. However, there are a number of professions whose representatives are at greatest risk. These include:

welders;
taxi drivers;
auto repair shop workers;
diesel engine operators;
firefighters;
workers of breweries, boiler houses;
personnel of steel foundries, oil refining, pulp and paper production, etc.

Conclusion

It is very important to know what to do if you have carbon monoxide poisoning. IN difficult situations People with the necessary knowledge and skills can provide the greatest help to victims. The main thing is not to panic, but to act as quickly, clearly and consistently as possible.

Poisoning that occurs with the participation of carbon monoxide and smoke is quite relevant. No color, no gas smell, very high percent fatal outcome, they state that it is necessary to learn how to provide first aid in case of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is very important to provide emergency assistance in a timely manner and begin treatment to avoid the most difficult problems with health, as well as death.

Causes of intoxication

CO or carbon monoxide occurs due to oxidation (incomplete combustion), then it enters the blood and quickly comes into contact with hemoglobin. As a result of such processes, carboxyhemoglobin is formed. All this leads to oxygen starvation, which is very dangerous.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur in the following emergency situations:

fire – natural, domestic;
from exhaust gases;
car interior or garage while the engine is running;
usage heating equipment, stoves, chimneys;
the process of producing certain organic substances - acetone, etc.

Symptoms and signs of damage

Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include: negative impact on the human body. Oxygen starvation has a huge impact on a person’s overall health, the state of the nervous system, breathing and blood circulation. The degree of damage depends on the amount of CO in the air, as well as the duration of stay in the hazardous area. When a person breathes air containing 0.02 - 0.03% gas for about six hours, then the following consequences begin to appear:

vomiting, nausea;
dizziness and even fainting;
headache;
apathy, weakness, general malaise, confusion;
the functioning of the heart is impaired;
problems arise with the victim’s respiratory system.

When the concentration of carbon monoxide increases to 0.1 - 0.2%, a coma may develop, which can cause cardiac arrest and death. Poisoning is accompanied by alarming symptoms that signal that terrible damage to all internal organs is occurring.

For easy and medium degree Carbon monoxide poisoning, symptoms may include:

severe nausea;
periodic vomiting;
lack of oxygen;
discomfort;
cardiac dysfunction;
there is a strong pulsation in the temples;
dizziness, fainting;
specific noise in the ears, film before the eyes;
hearing and vision decrease;
coordination in time and space is impaired;
clouding of consciousness;
the pulse quickens.

The severe stage is characterized by the following painful symptoms and signs:

pulse is about one hundred and thirty beats per minute or very weak;
loss of consciousness with the formation of a coma;
convulsions;
impaired breathing;
involuntary urination.

The brain is the first to suffer due to its high sensitivity to lack of oxygen. Headache, muscle weakness, irregular breathing, vomiting, and trembling are the main signs of poisoning.

Atypical types of intoxication:

fainting appearance - there is a sharp and immediate decline blood pressure, which is accompanied by fainting, as well as blanching of the skin or mucous membranes;
euphoric - psychomotor overexcitation gradually develops, which occurs with hallucinations or delusions, then clouding of reason occurs, the heart stops and death occurs.

Chronic carbon monoxide poisoning associated with prolonged exposure to the gas is considered very dangerous. As a result, problems arise with the endocrine system, as well as nervous system. Timely provision of emergency care and treatment is very important.

First aid

To avoid tragic consequences, it is necessary to urgently begin drug treatment in the hospital. Help if you notice any of the above signs/symptoms:

urgently call an ambulance;
try to stop the harmful effects of carbon monoxide - move the victim to fresh air;
ensure the supply of oxygen - remove tight clothing from the victim, then lay him on his side;
to bring a person back to consciousness, use the famous ammonia;
use cold compresses and rubbing to restore and improve blood circulation;
prepare hot coffee or tea;
in the absence of breathing, it is necessary to perform indirect cardiac massage and artificial respiration.

When a person has carbon monoxide poisoning, treatment, which is carried out in a hospital, consists of a set of therapeutic procedures and measures:

symptomatic measures;
oxygen therapy - for such a procedure an oxygen mask and pure oxygen are used;
restoration of acid and alkaline balance.

Assistance in case of carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as treatment, should be provided by qualified specialists, since a person’s life is at stake. If the symptoms are severe enough, especially in pregnant women, accompanied by permanent loss of consciousness, urgent measures are necessary. A special procedure is carried out, breathing pure oxygen in a pressure chamber.

In addition to CO poisoning, emergencies occur around the world every ten minutes. As a result, people die from smoke poisoning. Intoxication occurs due to the penetration of smoke into the victim’s respiratory tract. Smoke consists of toxic substances such as:

hydrogen cyanide (dangerous even in small quantities);
carbon monoxide.

The main danger is smoke poisoning caused by the combustion of the following substances:

varnishes;
plastic;
rubber;
foam;
plywood.

During the combustion process, the above substances produce dioxin, as well as phosgene, which provoke the development malignant tumors, allergic reactions.

weakness of the body;
drowsiness;
nausea, vomiting;
noise in ears;
headache;
dyspnea;
heaviness in the head;

The entry of smoke into the human body is accompanied by serious manifestations after three to four hours. There is a high risk and danger to life. First aid when smoke enters the body is similar to that performed in case of a carbon monoxide tragedy. It is necessary to call an ambulance, as well as provide qualified treatment in a hospital.

Preventive actions

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, you need to know certain rules:

use high-quality, serviceable heating equipment;
if your house has stove heating, then do not forget to clean the chimney;
ventilate the room regularly;
Observe safety measures in the car when the engine is running, especially in the cold season;
be careful around the fire.

Awareness of such a topic will help you avoid tragic incidents and subsequent consequences. Be careful!

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

What is carbon monoxide and why is it dangerous?

Carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide, or carbon monoxide, chemical formula CO) is a gaseous compound formed during combustion of any kind. 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 not perceptible in any way, 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 tired, lack of strength and dizzy, a person makes a fatal mistake - he 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. Weak people, those with 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

(Infographics are available via the download button after the article)

Mild degree severity is characterized by the following symptoms:

general weakness;
headaches, mainly in the frontal and temporal regions;
knocking in 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 bowel movement Bladder and intestines;
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

It is very important to act promptly, as irreversible consequences occur very quickly.

First, it is necessary to take the victim out into fresh air as quickly as possible. In cases where this is difficult, the victim must be put on a gas mask with a hopcalite cartridge as quickly as possible and given an oxygen cushion.

Secondly, you need to make breathing easier - clear the airways, if necessary, unfasten clothes, lay the victim on his side in order to prevent possible tongue retraction.

Thirdly, stimulate breathing. Apply ammonia, rub the chest, warm the limbs.

And most importantly, you need to call an ambulance. Even if a person appears to be in satisfactory condition at first glance, it is necessary that he be examined by a doctor, since it is not always possible to determine the true degree of poisoning only by symptoms. In addition, promptly initiated therapeutic measures will reduce the risk of complications and mortality from carbon monoxide poisoning.

If the victim’s condition is serious, it is necessary to carry out resuscitation measures until doctors arrive.

Sources of danger

Nowadays, cases of poisoning occur a little less frequently than in those days when heating of residential premises was predominantly stoves, but there are still enough sources of increased risk.

Potential carbon monoxide poisoning hazards:

at home with stove heating, fireplaces. Improper operation increases the risk of carbon monoxide entering the premises, thus causing entire families to burn out in their homes;
baths, saunas, especially those that are heated “on black”;
garages;
in industries using carbon monoxide;
long-term stay near major roads;
fire in a closed space (elevator, shaft, etc., which are impossible to leave without outside help).

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.
The exhaust gases of a passenger car contain 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!

Into the human body, it is dangerous to life and health, and without qualified medical care can be fatal.

Carbon monoxide enters the atmospheric air during any type of combustion. In cities, mainly as part of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. Carbon monoxide actively binds to hemoglobin, forming carboxyhemoglobin, and blocks the transfer of oxygen to tissue cells, leading to hemic hypoxia. Carbon monoxide is also included in oxidative reactions, disturbing the biochemical balance in tissues.

At-risk groups

Poisoning is possible:

Signs and symptoms

Concentration of CO in the air, carboxyhemoglobin HbCO in the blood and symptoms of poisoning.

CO,% vol. (20°C)	CO, mg/m³	Exposure time, h	HBCO in blood, %	Main signs and symptoms of acute poisoning
≤0.009	≤100	3.5-5	2.5-10	A decrease in the speed of psychomotor reactions, sometimes a compensatory increase in blood flow to vital organs. In persons with severe cardiovascular insufficiency - chest pain during exercise, shortness of breath
0.019	220	6	10-20	Slight headache, decreased mental and physical performance, shortness of breath with moderate physical activity. Visual perception disorders. May be fatal to fetuses and persons with severe heart failure
≤0.052	≤600	1	10-20
≤0.052	≤600	2	20-30	Throbbing headache, dizziness, irritability, emotional instability, memory loss, nausea, poor coordination of fine hand movements
0.069	800	1	20-30
≤0.052	≤600	4	30-40	Severe headache, weakness, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, confusion
0.069	800	2	30-40
0.069-0.094	800-1100	2	40-50	Hallucinations, severe ataxia, tachypnea
0.1	1250	2	50-60	Fainting or coma, convulsions, tachycardia, weak pulse, Cheyne-Stokes breathing
0.17	2000	30 min	50-60
0.15	1800	1.5	60-70	Coma, convulsions, respiratory and cardiac depression. Possible death
0.2-0.29	2300-3400	30 min	60-70
0.49-0.99	5700-11500	2-5 min	70-80	Deep coma with decreased or absent reflexes, thready pulse, arrhythmia, death.
1.2	14000	1-3 min	70-80	Loss of consciousness (after two or three breaths), vomiting, convulsions, death.

Symptoms:

In case of mild poisoning the following appear:
- headache,
- knocking in the temples,
- dizziness,
- chest pain,
- dry cough,
- lacrimation,
- nausea,
- vomit,
- visual and auditory hallucinations are possible,
- redness of the skin, carmine-red coloring of the mucous membranes,
- increased blood pressure.
in case of moderate poisoning:
- severe tinnitus
- drowsiness,
- possible motor paralysis with preserved consciousness
in case of severe poisoning:
- loss of consciousness, coma
- convulsions,
- involuntary passage of urine and feces,
- breathing disorder that becomes continuous, sometimes Cheyne-Stokes type,
- dilated pupils with weakened reaction to light,
- sharp cyanosis (blue discoloration) of the mucous membranes and facial skin. Death usually occurs at the scene as a result of respiratory arrest and a drop in cardiac activity.

Severe complications are often observed:

Subarachnoid hemorrhages,
Polyneuritis,
Phenomena of cerebral edema,
visual impairment,
Hearing impairment
Possible development of myocardial infarction,
Skin trophic disorders (blisters, local edema with swelling and subsequent necrosis), myoglobinuric nephrosis,
With a long coma, severe pneumonia is constantly observed.

First aid

Algorithm for providing emergency care at the site of the lesion

A gas mask is put on the victim (in combination with a hopcalite cartridge) and he is immediately evacuated from the affected area.

Algorithm for providing emergency care outside the affected area

The gas mask is removed from the victim and freed from clothing that restricts breathing.
The victim is given oxygen and warmed up. TO modern methods Treatment includes oxygen therapy in a pressure chamber.
Since ultraviolet rays accelerate the breakdown of carboxyhemoglobin, it is advisable to irradiate the victim with a quartz lamp.
According to indications, artificial respiration is performed using hand-held breathing devices.
For heart failure, administration of 1 ml of cordiamine, as well as 1 ml of a 10% caffeine solution subcutaneously, is indicated.
The victim is immediately evacuated to the nearest medical facility.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is often complicated by the development of inflammatory processes respiratory tract and lungs (bronchitis, pneumonia), therefore antibiotics are prescribed for prophylactic purposes.

Treatment

In the first three hours, it is very important to provide a high-oxygen supplement. It is necessary to immediately eliminate the source of polluted air and provide breathing with pure oxygen under an increased partial pressure of 1.5-2 atm or, preferably, carbogen. In the first minutes, inject the victim intramuscularly with a solution of the antidote “Acyzol”. Further treatment in hospital.

Carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide) is a product of incomplete combustion of any organic substance. Carbon monoxide cannot be detected without special devices. The main part of carbon monoxide is formed as a result of human activities: the operation of vehicles, industrial enterprises. Carbon monoxide poisoning is most 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 human health, but also to human life. Failure to provide first aid in a timely manner often leads to the most tragic outcome. Pregnant women, children, patients with bronchial asthma, and people who abuse alcohol and smoking are most susceptible to poisoning.

Where and how can you get carbon monoxide poisoning?

The most common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning at home:

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

Carbon monoxide poisoning often occurs at work (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 hemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin. This process interferes with 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 in the brain. Carbon monoxide molecules also react with myoglobin, which leads to muscle weakness and severe heart problems.

Symptoms

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

The following signs are typical for mild poisoning:

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 are the cause of death due to carbon monoxide intoxication.

First aid

Timely first aid helps save the victim’s life and reduces the risk of complications. First of all, you need to stop the exposure of the victim to carbon monoxide, ensure the supply of fresh air (take the person outside, open the windows and doors in the room), and lay the victim on his side. If you lose consciousness, let them breathe with a cotton swab moistened ammonia. To improve blood circulation, you need to rub your chest and back. If there is a disturbance in cardiac activity (respiratory arrest), perform an indirect cardiac massage.

Oxygen (using an oxygen mask) and acyzol are used as an antidote. It is advisable to carry out these activities before the ambulance arrives. An accurate diagnosis is made by a blood test.

Treatment and prevention

In the treatment of carbon monoxide intoxication, infusion treatment, anticonvulsants, and cardiac 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 entire body.

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 failure;
disturbance of cerebral hemodynamics;
cerebral edema;
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 stove and gas equipment.