Currently, carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the most common fatal intoxications. Carbon monoxide is a substance that has neither smell nor taste. It inevitably enters the atmospheric air during any type of combustion. With the penetration of carbon monoxide into the human body, an acute pathological process develops. In the absence of timely and qualified assistance, in most cases, death occurs.
Mechanism of development of poisoning
Once in the body, carbon monoxide binds very strongly to hemoglobin. At the same time, it takes the place of oxygen, displacing it. The resulting compound is called carboxyhemoglobin. The main task of the red blood pigment is to supply every cell of the body with oxygen. In acute carbon monoxide poisoning, this process is disrupted. As a result of fabricbegin to experience oxygen starvation, while the brain suffers the most.
When a gas is inhaled in high concentration, the pathological process develops very quickly. After a few seconds, the victim loses consciousness, and within the next minutes a fatal outcome occurs. As a rule, in such cases, any attempts to help are unsuccessful.
Infiltration routes
Carbon monoxide enters the body only through inhalation. Most of it is also excreted through the lungs. Only a tiny amount of it leaves the body with feces, urine and sweat. The elimination process (when inhaled at low concentrations) takes an average of 12 hours.
Carbon monoxide is the strongest poison that people can encounter both in domestic and industrial conditions. Its danger lies in the fact that it easily penetrates through any obstacles: soil, walls, windows, etc. Protective household respirators also almost do not save from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Reasons
The following sources of carbon monoxide pose the greatest danger:
- Stoves, fireplaces. The development of intoxication occurs, as a rule, with their improper use.
- Car with engine running. Often, carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when the car is running in a garage or other small space that is poorly ventilated.
- Propane household appliances. The risk of developing intoxication is great when it malfunctions.
- Apparatus designed to support the breathing process. Poisoning can occur when filling them with a mixture of low-quality gases.
- Kerosene burning, especially if it occurs over a long period of time and in a poorly ventilated area.
- Gas equipment both at home and at work.
- Fires.
Poisoning can occur during accidents at industrial enterprises, as well as during large-scale explosions in military ammunition depots.
The negative effects of carbon monoxide most often affect residents of megacities. This is due to the fact that urban air contains a high concentration of exhaust gases. Toxic substances gradually accumulate in the body, causing irreversible pathological changes.
Symptoms
The severity of signs of carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide) poisoning directly depends on the degree of exposure of the harmful substance to the body. This indicator is influenced by the following factors:
- Outside temperature.
- Concentration of carbon monoxide.
- Duration of negative effects of poison.
- The state of the body's defenses.
- Presence of diseases of the blood, lungs, cardiovascular system.
- Degree of physical exhaustion.
Women are more resistant to carbon monoxide than men. In addition, the following categories of people are especially difficult to tolerate poison even in small concentrations:
- Children.
- Pregnant women.
- Tobacco and alcohol abusers.
The clinical picture depends on the degree of carbon monoxide poisoning. She can be:
- Easy. The concentration of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood of the victim is from 13 to 19%. In such cases, the following signs of carbon monoxide poisoning appear: a pronounced headache, a feeling of weakness in the lower extremities, fever, bright spots on the face (mainly on the cheeks), shortness of breath, tinnitus, slowing down the speed of psychomotor reactions. With a mild degree of intoxication, it is enough to bring the patient to fresh air. The result of this action is the rapid elimination of unpleasant symptoms.
- Medium. The concentration of a toxic compound in the blood ranges from 30-35%. With this degree of severity, the patient has the following symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: impaired motor function; the severity of a feeling of weakness in the lower extremities increases; there is nausea, turning into vomiting. It is not uncommon for a person to experience drowsiness or fainting.
- Heavy. The level of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood of the victim is from 35 to 50%. Signs of poisoning: red color of the skin (with pale limbs), rapid pulse (100-120 beats per minute), low blood pressure, impaired breathing, high body temperature, convulsions. Often, a severe degree of intoxication is accompanied by a prolonged loss of consciousness (10 or more hours). Without help, the patient falls into a coma.
- Lightning fast. It is characterized by an extremely high concentration of poison. The clinical picture is as follows: the person loses consciousness; its mucous membranes, the skin of the face, hands and feet acquire a bright red color; muscle cramps are observed. When the level of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood exceeds 50%, death occurs.
Diagnosis
Carbon monoxide poisoning is fairly easy to identify based on the history and clinical picture. In the absence of consciousness, it is necessary to conduct a differential diagnosis with other types of intoxication, myocardial infarction and stroke. In addition, if carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, blood is taken from the victim and examined for the presence of carboxyhemoglobin.
First Aid
The patient must be taken out of the affected area as soon as possible. Then you need to immediately call an ambulance. In case of carbon monoxide poisoning, all measures to save the life of the victim should be carried out according to the following algorithm:
- If the patient is unconscious, lay him on his side. Make sure his airway is clear. Undo the top buttons on his clothes, loosen the belt.
- Moisten a piece of cotton wool or cloth with ammonia. Bring to the nose of the victim. Rubbing the skin (this is necessary to stimulate the blood circulation process). Check for a pulse. In his absence, perform chest compressions.
- If the victim is conscious, put either a cold compress or a mustard plaster on his chest. How canoffer him hot sugary drinks like tea more often.
- Give the victim peace (both emotional and physical), but do not leave him alone until the arrival of the doctors.
The antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning is the drug "Acyzol". If you have medical skills, it must be administered intravenously.
Treatment
The victim is shown urgent hospitalization. All treatment activities are carried out exclusively in a hospital.
In case of violation or complete loss of consciousness, as well as when the level of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood is above 25%, hyperbaric oxygenation is indicated. In addition, this method of treatment is applicable to children and pregnant women. The victim is placed in a pressure chamber, where he stays for some time, inhaling pure oxygen. This type of therapy has a positive effect only the first few hours after carbon monoxide poisoning.
Treatment also includes the following procedures:
- artificial lung ventilation;
- transfusion of donated blood (whole or red blood cells only);
- intravenous administration of cardiotonic or hypertonic solutions.
Carbon monoxide poisoning rarely goes unnoticed. In most cases, people develop the following complications: memory lapses, frequent headaches, regular episodes of nausea, fainting, depression, mental disorders, muscle tone disorders.
Prevention
Measures to prevent the occurrence of poisoning should be known first of all by persons whose activities are related to staying at enterprises where there is a high probability of carbon monoxide leakage due to an accident. In addition, people who encounter dangerous poison in everyday life should be aware of them.
Preventive measures:
- Strictly observe the rules of conduct and safety in enterprises whose activities involve the use of carbon monoxide.
- Clean stove chimneys every year.
- Do not operate defective heating equipment.
- Do not start the car engine for a long time if this vehicle is in the garage.
In addition, urban residents should avoid busy roads while walking, as the concentration of exhaust gases in the air is extremely high.
In closing
Carbon monoxide is a dangerous poison that can be fatal if inhaled. The determining factor is the timeliness of the first aid provided. In case of carbon monoxide poisoning, it is necessary to take the victim to fresh air and call an ambulance.
