Carbon monoxide poisoning, commonly referred to as gas poisoning, involves exposure to CO—a colorless, odorless gas with the chemical formula CO. Poisoning typically occurs in poorly ventilated spaces where coal is burned for heating, or due to gas leaks from pipelines, water heaters, and similar appliances.
When large amounts of carbon monoxide enter the body, its affinity for hemoglobin is 300 times greater than oxygen's. This forms significant amounts of carboxyhemoglobin, leading to acute blood hypoxia. Oxygen deprivation damages the central nervous system, potentially causing cerebral vasospasm, cerebral edema, brain tissue necrosis, and death.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the amount inhaled.
Mild poisoning symptoms include dizziness, chest tightness, palpitations, blurred vision, nausea, tinnitus, weakness in the legs, and headache. Prompt removal from the contaminated environment and breathing fresh air will cause these symptoms to subside quickly.
Moderate poisoning symptoms include all mild symptoms plus rapid breathing and pulse, generalized weakness, facial flushing, cold extremities, and drowsiness. The patient's lips, chest, and extremities may exhibit cherry-red skin discoloration. Removing the patient from the toxic environment and providing fresh air or oxygen typically leads to rapid recovery with no lasting sequelae.
Severe poisoning causes deep coma, incontinence, shallow rapid breathing, limb paralysis, loss of reflexes, decreased blood pressure, and pupils that first constrict then dilate. Even with successful resuscitation, this stage often leaves lasting neurological impairment.
Methods
Open all indoor doors and windows. Swiftly move the patient outdoors to fresh air and unbutton their clothing.
If the patient can drink, provide warm sugar tea or other hot beverages.
If breathing or heartbeat has ceased, immediately perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
If the patient is unconscious, immediately perform acupuncture on the Renzhong, Laogong, Yongquan, and Shixuan acupoints to stimulate consciousness.
After emergency treatment, moderate to severe cases should be promptly transported to a hospital for further critical care.