Summer is a distant memory and fall has left us behind, winter is upon us. Winter brings its own kind of pleasures, the holiday season, winter sports like cross country skiing, hikes on snow shoes or just a relaxing evening in front of the fireplace. Winter also brings us an increased risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
So what is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is the result of incomplete combustion of carbon based fuels. CO can come from propane or natural gas stoves, furnaces or water heaters, wood burning stoves, fireplaces, automobile exhaust, charcoal grills and cigarette smoke. The fumes from any combustible source should be considered a potential source of CO.
CO is the number one cause of accidental poisoning in The US and results in 40,000 to 50,000 emergency department visits and 5000 to 6000 deaths. Most are caused by house fires, automobile fumes and improperly functioning heating and systems. CO poisoning is preventable, all heating appliances should be checked at least once a year to make sure they are functioning properly and safe. Fireplaces and wood stove chimneys should be cleaned annually. Cars should not be left running in the garage. Do not use gas or charcoal grills inside. Do not run gas powered appliances, such as a generator, indoors. Be sure to install and maintain CO gas detectors.
CO displaces oxygen on red blood cells and prevents the delivery of oxygen to the cells. The symptoms of CO poisoning is similar to other diseases such as influenza and is often hard to diagnose when there is no known exposure or other reason to suspect CO poisoning. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
- malaise,
- fatigue,
- flu- like symptoms,
- chest pain,
- shortness of breath,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- diarrhea,
- stomach pain,
- headache,
- dizziness,
- weakness,
- fainting,
- confusion,
- seizures,
- coma, and
- death.
There are clues that will help you determine CO poisoning, these include: ·
- There is more than one sick person in the house.
- You feel bad at home but get better after you are away from home for a while.
- Your pets are sick.
- There is a peculiar odor in the air.
I always tell people if the bird is dead and the dog and cat are vomiting and you have a headache you should get out of the house and call 911!
People at high risk for CO poisoning include the very young and the very old. People with heart or respiratory conditions are also at high risk. Pregnancy is a concern due to increased risk for the fetus. Anyone can have CO poisoning but high risk individuals can have more complications and can have problems at lower exposure levels.
Although CO poisoning is hard to detect and often not recognized, there are new tools to help EPMC Ambulance and Emergency Department staff determine if someone has been exposed to CO. Blood tests used to be the standard for CO poisoning determination. This is time consuming and not routinely used unless there is a reason to suspect CO exposure.
Now there is a device that will give CO percentages by placement of a probe on one’s finger. This is called a CO-Oximeter and is a finger probe that shines light through the finger to determine CO percentage. They work much like pulse-oximetry that many of you have seen when you visit your physician. The EPMC Ambulances are equipped with these devices and can determine if CO is causing your illness.
If you suspect CO poisoning you should call 911 and let the Paramedics from EPMC assess your condition. The fire department will also respond with detectors to determine if there is CO in the environment. The source of the CO can be determined and corrected. Carbon monoxide, “the silent killer”, can be prevented. Get all your appliances checked, install CO detectors and call 911 if you have any health problems!
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