Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Overview

Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by inhaling excessive carbon monoxide. Its symptoms resemble the flu, including headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, and confusion; large amounts can cause loss of consciousness, arrhythmia, seizures, and death. CO is a colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of organic matter and causes poisoning by binding hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin.

Symptoms

• Headache and dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Cherry-red lips
• Impaired consciousness
• Coma

Treatment

Rapidly remove the patient from the poisoning environment and give high-concentration oxygen; use hyperbaric oxygen for severe cases and prevent cerebral edema and delayed encephalopathy.

Dietary advice

Eat a light, high-vitamin diet during recovery, drink plenty of water, and ensure nutrition to promote nerve repair.