Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms
Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the deadliest forms of poisoning on Earth. Accidental death from carbon monoxide is the leading cause of death by poisoning in the United States and many other countries, developed or otherwise. Part of the reason for carbon monoxide taking so many lives is the fact that carbon monoxide has no taste, color, or odor. A person can die from carbon monoxide poisoning within minutes if the concentration is high enough. If that weren’t bad enough, the people who don’t die from carbon monoxide poisoning are often left with irreparable brain damage from the short exposure to the gas.
One of the first carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms is the feeling of nausea, coupled with dizziness and headaches. If you begin to feel sick and dizzy, be aware of your surroundings and potential things that might possibly be leaking carbon monoxide. This could be anything ranging from a car that was left on to a gas stove. As stated above, there is no way to detect a presence of carbon monoxide through human senses, but the symptoms certainly won’t lie.
Among the worst of carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms is the shortness of breath that coincides with chest pains. Once this occurs, you can be sure that the amount of carbon monoxide in the air is potentially too much. In this instance, a good idea is to leave whatever room or building that you are occupying, and step outside. Any more time in an enclosed space with that much carbon monoxide can easily lead to death very quickly.
Many people experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms report hallucinations taking effect. This is due to the fact that the brain is being terribly damaged by the carbon monoxide and is in the process of shutting down. The hallucinations are caused by the brain synapses shutting down and the brain cells dying, in addition to the bleeding that is coming from the brain. This is a sign that severe brain damage is occurring and is about to become fatal.
Proper carbon monoxide safety is a necessity if one hopes to avoid becoming another statistic because of carbon monoxide. Any home or business should have a carbon monoxide detector, in addition to a smoke detector, to avoid unnecessary loss of life. Carbon monoxide detectors can be found on the internet and at many hardware stores, in addition to mass market retailers. Most carbon monoxide detectors are relatively inexpensive, while adding an extra feeling of safety in any home or establishment.
Tags: carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms, carbon monoxide safety, death by poisoning, dizziness, leading cause of death, nausea