Your symptoms will often indicate whether you have carbon monoxide poisoning, but a blood test will confirm the amount of carboxyhaemoglobin in your blood. People who smoke can often have higher than normal levels of carboxyhaemoglobin in their blood, which can sometimes make it difficult to interpret the results. Mild carbon monoxide poisoning does not usually need hospital treatment, but it's still important that you seek medical advice.
Standard oxygen therapy in hospital will be needed if you have been exposed to a high level of carbon monoxide, or you have symptoms that suggest exposure. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy HBOT floods the body with pure oxygen, helping it overcome the oxygen shortage caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. There's currently not enough evidence about the long-term effectiveness of HBOT for treating severe cases of carbon monoxide poisoning.
HBOT may be recommended in certain situations — for example, if there's been extensive exposure to carbon monoxide and nerve damage is suspected. Its use is decided on a case-by-case basis. The length of time it takes to recover from carbon monoxide poisoning will depend on how much carbon monoxide you have been exposed to and how long you have been exposed to it. Prolonged significant exposure to carbon monoxide can cause serious complications, including brain damage and heart problems.
It can also cause vision loss and hearing loss. In rare cases, severe carbon monoxide poisoning can cause Parkinsonism, which is characterised by tremors , stiffness and slow movement. Parkinsonism is not the same as Parkinson's disease , which is a degenerative neurological condition linked to ageing. Coronary heart disease is another serious condition that can develop as a result of long-term carbon monoxide exposure. Coronary heart disease is where the heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances atheroma in the coronary arteries.
If the blood supply is restricted, it can cause angina chest pains. If the coronary arteries become completely blocked, it can cause a heart attack.
It's important to be aware of the dangers and identify any appliances in your house that could potentially leak carbon monoxide. Boilers, cookers, heating systems and appliances should be installed and regularly serviced by a reputable, registered engineer.
Anyone carrying out work on installations and appliances in your home must be registered with a relevant association, such as the:. It's very important to be aware of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and to look out for warning signs. Investigate the possibility of a carbon monoxide leak if your pet suddenly becomes ill or dies unexpectedly and their death is not related to old age or an existing health condition. Page last reviewed: 10 April Next review due: 10 April Carbon monoxide poisoning.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are not always obvious, particularly during low-level exposure. Other symptoms include: dizziness feeling and being sick tiredness and confusion stomach pain shortness of breath and difficulty breathing The symptoms of exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can be similar to those of food poisoning and flu.
But unlike flu, carbon monoxide poisoning does not cause a high temperature. The longer CO gas is breathed in and the higher its concentration, the worse the symptoms become including loss of balance, loss of vision and memory and eventually unconscionsness and death. CO is produced by the incomplete burning of fuels such as wood, charcoal, coal, heating oil, paraffin, petrol, natural gas, propane, butane etc.
Carbon Dioxide CO2 is the normal by-product of combustion, but if there is not enough oxygen present Carbon Monoxide is formed instead of CO2. A dangerous level of CO can occour if an appliance is faulty or badly maintained, if a flue is blocked or if a room is inadequately ventilated. To avoid the risk of CO poisoning, ensure fossil fuel burning appliances are serviced regularly and install a CO alarm.
Professional Home Safety from Honeywell. Breathing low levels of carbon monoxide over a long period can cause severe heart problems and brain damage. See a doctor if:. It can be hard to know if you have carbon monoxide poisoning. The same symptoms can be caused by flu or other problems. In the winter months, doctors may suspect carbon monoxide poisoning in people who complain of severe headache, nausea, or dizziness.
This is especially true if other household members or co-workers have the same symptoms. Even pets in the home may get sick. If your doctor suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, he or she can order a blood test that measures the amount of carbon monoxide in your blood. You may have other blood tests to check your overall health and to look for problems caused by carbon monoxide.
The best treatment is oxygen therapy. Breathing pure oxygen can bring the oxygen level in the blood back to normal. There are two kinds of oxygen therapy:. With quick treatment, most people recover within a few days. But long-term problems can show up later. Be sure to tell your doctor about any changes in vision, coordination, or behaviour that occur in the weeks after treatment.
Many people die every year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. There are some easy steps you can take to reduce your risk. One of the most important is to see a doctor right away if you think you have symptoms. Safe use of fuel-burning tools and appliances. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: Anne C. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. British Columbia Specific Information Carbon monoxide CO is known as the silent killer because it cannot be seen or smelled.
Top of the page. Topic Overview What is carbon monoxide poisoning? What causes carbon monoxide poisoning? Trouble comes when: Cars, trucks, or other engines are left running in enclosed spaces, such as garages.
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