Although we are well aware of the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning, it continues to be one of America’s most sinister silent killers. Hundreds of Americans die from ingesting carbon monoxide every single year, often due to the absence of a carbon monoxide detector in their home.
If you suspect that yourself or a loved one has carbon monoxide poisoning, it is essential to seek effective carbon monoxide treatment immediately. Here’s what to do.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Before breaking down the best treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning, it is essential to understand how you can prevent it in the first place. You can see here the easiest ways to prevent co poisoning from happening to you, including installing a carbon monoxide alarm and keeping your home ventilation system clean and clear.
You should also open your garage doors before you start your car, as this immediately removed one of the most common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
There are many symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, and not all of them will be present in a victim. The most common symptoms are:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Stomachache
- Confusion
- Chest pain
- Rapid heartbeat
- Blurred vision
If any of these symptoms appear, the safest thing for you to do is leave the area immediately. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide causes respiratory failure and death. Don’t take the risk.
Treatment for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning surface rapidly and will quickly intensify. Therefore, it is imperative to seek relief and treatment as quickly as possible.
Leave the Area
If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, leave immediately. Step outside and get as far away from the house as possible. Fresh air is the most important resource that your body needs right now.
Once you are outside, immediately call 911. If you do have carbon monoxide poisoning, it is almost certain that you will require dedicated medical treatment and monitoring.
Oxygen Therapy
The primary form of carbon monoxide poisoning treatment is known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This involves connecting the patient to an oxygen tank so that they are breathing in 100% pure oxygen at elevated pressure rates.
This is designed to reduce the half-life of the carbon monoxide in your system to “flush it out” and enable a speedy recovery.
Note that this is only the first line of treatment that is designed to get the poison out of your system. It will not address any subsequent effects of the poisoning that you might be experiencing, such as cardiac impairment.
Long-Term Treatment
Carbon monoxide poisoning often has long-term effects on survivors. A wide range of treatments is available, most of which are available in a clinical setting. Regular injections of oxygen and of hydrogen saline solutions are a common approach.
Light therapy is also increasingly used. The goal is to stimulate the body’s recovery from carbon monoxide poisoning to enable a full recovery over time.
Make Proactive Health Decisions in 2022
Carbon monoxide poisoning is rare, but the health impacts are devastating. By understanding how to prevent and treat it, you can focus on a safer, healthier future.
For more essential insights on the healthcare options that matter to you, we have got you covered. Make sure to consult our dedicated health guides, that can help you make more proactive healthcare decisions in 2022 and beyond.
