Fell Asleep and Didn't Wake Up: Carbon Monoxide Can Kill in Minutes, and Here's What It Does to Your Brain and Heart
A terrible tragedy on the banks of the Drina, in which two young men lost their lives most likely due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator, has once again confronted us with the danger of a gas we cannot see or smell. What actually happens in the body when we inhale carbon monoxide and how to recognize poisoning in time?
TL;DR
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is difficult to detect.
- It is produced by the combustion of carbon-containing materials, with common sources including vehicle engines, generators, and various household appliances.
- CO poisoning occurs when the gas binds to hemoglobin in the blood more strongly than oxygen, impairing oxygen delivery to the body's tissues and organs.
- Symptoms can vary from mild headaches and fatigue to severe effects like confusion, seizures, coma, and death, often occurring while sleeping.
- Chronic exposure to low levels of CO can mimic flu-like symptoms, such as persistent headaches, fatigue, nausea, and memory problems, making diagnosis difficult.
- Diagnosis involves measuring carboxyhemoglobin levels in the blood, and treatment may include oxygen therapy or hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
- Even after recovery, CO poisoning can lead to long-term neurological complications.