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Heart damage, including coronary heart disease, can result from prolonged exposure. Typically, the longer an individual is exposed to CO, the more severe the symptoms will become.ĬO poisoning can cause severe brain damage, and it may cause a progressive worsening of memory and concentration. Short-term exposure to CO can also cause death in severe circumstances. Short-term effects of CO exposure can include:
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Short term effectsįollowing CO exposure, a person may notice that something is wrong, but they may not know where the symptoms are coming from.
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Because CO more easily occupies the space where oxygen would bind, its presence means that less oxygen can enter the hemoglobin.Īs a result, parts of the body will experience oxygen starvation, and the affected parts may die. HBOT may be necessary for people experiencing a loss or reduction of oxygen supply, a person in a coma, individuals with a history of loss of consciousness, those with an unusual ECG reading or reduced brain activity, and those who are pregnant.Īccording to a 2012 study, CO binds to hemoglobin over 220% more easily than oxygen does. This treatment floods the blood with pure oxygen to compensate for the lack of oxygen caused by CO gas poisoning.
#Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms professional#
If a medical professional suspects nerve damage or if exposure to CO has been extensive, they may recommend hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Learn more about hemoglobin and hemoglobin levels here. This can speed up the production of oxygen-carrying proteins in red blood cells, known as oxyhemoglobin, which helps to replace CO-carrying hemoglobin, called carboxyhemoglobin. Hospital treatments include the delivery of 100% oxygen through a mask. If a person’s symptoms are severe, they may require hospitalization. A medical professional will be able to assess symptoms accurately. The first step is to move away from the possible CO gas source and contact medical services.
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