What is CO poisoning? Causes, symptoms and first aid

CO poisoning is one of the common accidents in gas poisoning cases. So what is CO poisoning, causes, symptoms and first aid when CO poisoning? Let’s explore with Tnhelearning.edu.vn through today’s article!

What is CO poisoning?

Carbon monoxide (abbreviated as CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that does not irritate the nose or throat and has a very strong diffusibility . It is also because of this feature that when CO poisoning is often difficult to detect, by the time you feel it, it is too late.

When CO enters the lungs, it will combine with hemoglobin in red blood cells, forming carboxyhaemoglobin. From here, CO binds better than oxygen, making the blood no longer able to carry oxygen, leading to death.

What is CO poisoning?

Causes of CO . poisoning

The cause of CO poisoning is usually due to the use of coal for cooking or conventional heating, exhaust fumes from cars, motorbikes, … in poorly ventilated places, closed rooms, …

Subjects susceptible to CO poisoning are pregnant women, fetuses, the elderly, people with coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, …

Causes of CO . poisoning

Symptoms of CO . poisoning

The following are the most common symptoms of CO poisoning:

• Severe and persistent headache .
• Dizziness and nausea .
• Shortness of breath, shortness of breath , or shortness of breath.
• Chest pain, abnormally fast heart rate .
• Tired, difficult to concentrate.

Symptoms will get worse when you are exposed to CO for a long time such as convulsions, muscle spasms, loss of consciousness, deep coma and possibly death.

Symptoms of CO . poisoning

First aid for CO . poisoning

When discovering that the victim has CO poisoning through the above signs, you need to perform first aid according to the following steps:

Step 1Ventilate the space such as opening doors or moving the casualty to fresh air as quickly as possible.

Step 2 Quickly ask someone to come to support and immediately dial 911 to call an ambulance.

Step 3 If the patient is found to have weak breathing, shortness of breath, or stops breathing, immediately give asphyxiation by mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose artificial respiration .

Step 4 If the patient is still not awake, place the patient on his or her side in a safe position and wait for help to arrive.

First aid for CO . poisoning

Above is information related to CO poisoning, causes, symptoms as well as first aid. Read more articles from Tnhelearning.edu.vn to equip yourself with useful information to help you live a healthier life!

Source: hellobacsi medical consultation Dr. Pharmacy Truong Anh Thu

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