Pulmonary edema due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Changes in the bronchopulmonary apparatus

Most likely, everyone at least once heard such a thing as "carbon monoxide". After all, many people have suffered because of this substance. Unfortunately, despite the awareness of carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide poisoning is still common. This is often observed in homes where there is a harmful effect of carbon monoxide on the human body is expressed in the fact that the substance affects the respiratory system. As a result, changes in the composition of the blood occur. Then the whole body starts to suffer. Left untreated, intoxication can cause serious consequences.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide It is a colorless and odorless substance. Another name for this compound is carbon monoxide. The formula for carbon monoxide is CO. This substance is not considered to pose a major hazard when room temperature environment. High toxicity occurs when atmospheric air very hot. For example, during fires. However, even small concentrations of carbon monoxide can cause poisoning. At room temperature, this Chemical substance rarely leads to the development of symptoms of severe intoxication. But it can cause chronic poisoning, which people rarely pay attention to.

Found everywhere. It is formed not only during fires, but also under normal conditions. Carbon monoxide is dealt with daily by people who own a car and smoke. In addition, it is contained in the air. However, its concentration is significantly exceeded during various emergencies. The allowable content of carbon monoxide is considered to be 33 mg / m 3 (maximum value), the lethal dose is 1.8%. With an increase in the concentration of a substance in the air, symptoms of hypoxia develop, that is, a lack of oxygen.

Causes of carbon monoxide poisoning

The main cause of poisoning is the harmful effect of carbon monoxide on the human body. This happens if the concentration of this compound in the atmosphere is higher allowable rate. What causes an increase in carbon monoxide? There are several factors due to which carbon monoxide is formed:

1. Fires in enclosed spaces. It is a well-known fact that, most often, death in fires does not occur due to direct impact fire (burns), but due to hypoxia. The low oxygen supply to the body is due to the increased amount of carbon monoxide in the air.
2. Stay in specialized institutions (factories, laboratories) where carbon monoxide is used. This substance is necessary to synthesize various chemical compounds. Among them - acetone, alcohol, phenol.
3. Non-compliance with the rules of operation gas equipment. This includes heaters. running water, plates.
4. Violation of the functioning of furnace heating. A high concentration of carbon monoxide is often observed due to poor draft in ventilation ducts and chimneys.
5. Long stay with cars in an unventilated garage, box.
6. Tobacco smoking, especially hookah.

In the situations listed above, you should constantly pay attention to changes in well-being. If there are signs of illness, you need to seek help. Purchase a carbon monoxide detector if possible. To a greater extent, it is needed in poorly ventilated areas.

Effects of carbon monoxide on the body

Why is carbon monoxide dangerous to the body? This is due to the mechanism of its effect on tissues. The main effect of carbon monoxide on the human body is blocking the delivery of oxygen to cells. As you know, the hemoglobin protein contained in erythrocytes is involved in this process. Under the influence of carbon monoxide, oxygen transport to the tissues is disrupted. This occurs as a result of protein binding and the formation of a compound such as carboxyhemoglobin. The consequence of such changes is the development of hemic hypoxia. That is, damage to red blood cells is considered the cause of oxygen starvation. In addition, there is another detrimental effect of carbon monoxide on the human body. It has a detrimental effect on muscle tissue. This is due to the binding of carbon monoxide to myoglobin. As a result, there are violations of the heart and skeletal muscles. Severe consequences of hypoxia of the brain and other organs can lead to death. Most often, violations occur in acute poisoning. But chronic intoxication is not ruled out.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

The main damaging effects of carbon monoxide are directed to the tissue of the brain, heart and skeletal muscle. Damage to the central nervous system is characterized by the occurrence of the following symptoms: headache, nausea, decreased hearing and vision, tinnitus, impaired consciousness and coordination of movements. In severe cases, a coma, convulsive syndrome may develop. Changes in the cardiovascular system are the occurrence of tachycardia, pain in the chest. There is also a decrease in muscle tone, weakness. It becomes difficult for the patient to breathe, tachypnea is noted. The skin and mucous membranes are hyperemic.

In some cases, atypical clinical forms of poisoning occur. These include symptoms such as fainting and euphoria. In the first case, short-term loss of consciousness, a decrease in blood pressure, and pallor of the skin are observed. The euphoric form is characterized by psychomotor agitation, the development of hallucinations, delusions.

Diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide can be provided only if such a condition is diagnosed in time. After all, the symptoms of hypoxia are observed when various diseases. Attention should be paid to the living conditions, the place of work of the patient. If the house has stove heating, you need to find out how often the room is ventilated. If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, it is necessary to conduct a study of the gas composition of the blood. With moderate severity, the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin is in the range from 20 to 50%. In addition, there is an increase in the content carbon dioxide. The oxygen concentration is decreasing. In severe poisoning, carboxyhemoglobin is more than 50%. In addition to oximetry, a general and biochemical blood test is performed. To diagnose complications, ECG, electroencephalography, dopplerography of the vessels of the heart and brain are performed.

Consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning

The severity of the patient's condition in case of carbon monoxide poisoning is due to hypoxia. The higher the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air, the worse the prognosis of the disease. In addition, it matters how long a person has been in contact with a poisonous substance. The consequences of hypoxia of organs and tissues can lead to complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, acute respiratory and heart failure. With severe intoxication, biochemical disturbances of the acid-base balance are observed. They are the development of metabolic acidosis. If the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air is more than 1.8%, a person may die already in the first minutes of being in the room. To prevent the development of severe hypoxia, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

First aid for gas poisoning

What is the emergency treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning? The answer to this question should be known not only by doctors, but also by people at risk (constantly in contact with carbon monoxide). First of all, the injured person should be taken to Fresh air and ventilate the room. If the patient is unconscious, it is necessary to provide oxygen access, remove tight clothing from him and put him on his left side. If necessary, resuscitation measures are taken. If a person is in, you should bring a cotton swab with ammonia to his nose, rub the chest to improve blood flow to the organs. The antidote for carbon monoxide is oxygen. Therefore, patients with moderate intoxication should be in a special mask for several hours.

Carbon monoxide poisoning: treatment in a hospital setting

In most cases, hospitalization is indicated. The patient does not need a special treatment if he has mild carbon monoxide poisoning. Treatment in this case is to walk in the fresh air. In moderate to severe cases, hospitalization is necessary, especially this rule applies to pregnant women, children and people suffering from heart pathologies. With the development of complications, the patient is placed in the intensive care unit to monitor oxygen saturation indicators. After stabilization of the condition, specific treatment in pressure chambers, climate change, etc. are recommended.

household - what is it?

Currently, there are special sensors that respond to an increase in the concentration of carbon monoxide in the room. Carbon monoxide detector - household appliance, which should be installed almost everywhere. Unfortunately, this rule is rarely observed, and sensors are available only in industrial premises (laboratories, factories). It should be noted that the detectors must be installed in private houses, apartments, as well as garages. This will help to avoid dangerous consequences for life.

Potential sources of danger are vehicles that are poorly ventilated, kiln system home heating, various burners, home fires. You can even get poisoned by carbon monoxide in a residential area if you regularly use faulty heating appliances.

In most cases, poisoning with this gas occurs in winter time years when people actively use various systems heating apartments, houses, cars, garages.

Carbon monoxide has a specific feature - it has no color and smell, so it is almost impossible to detect it in a room or car. If a person does not lose consciousness, then only after the symptoms of poisoning appear, he will begin to act.

As soon as the gas enters the body through the respiratory tract, it begins to interact with hemoglobin (hundreds of times faster than with oxygen). As a result, hemoglobin ceases to transport oxygen in the amount necessary for the life support of various organs. Carboxyhemoglobin is also formed in the blood. It is he who blocks the transfer of oxygen to tissues and cells. This is how hypoxia of the hemic type develops.

In addition, carbon monoxide enters into oxidative reactions and disrupts the biochemical balance in cells.

If a person has survived carbon monoxide poisoning, but the necessary medical care was not provided to him in time, he may become disabled. In particular, various pathological disorders occur in the brain, which is fraught with psychological and neurological disorders of an irreversible nature.

In addition, after some time, serious diseases may begin to develop, for example, Parkinson's disease, pathologies in intellectual development, and paralysis. Also, this kind of poisoning of the body greatly affects the optic nerves - often vision is partially or completely lost.

Therefore, the sooner qualified assistance is provided to the victim, the less serious consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning for health he will receive. It is worth noting that on female body this toxic gas less detrimental than on men.

After carbon monoxide poisoning, the patient needs a long course of treatment and rehabilitation. Even if there was a mild degree of intoxication, it is necessary to be observed by a specialist for several weeks. Only with its help will a full and effective therapeutic therapy be provided.

The main causes of carbon monoxide poisoning

All types of appliances that operate on the basis of combustible fuel emit carbon monoxide during operation. And if these mechanisms are out of order or damaged, health problems cannot be avoided.

The main danger is:

• A car if left running indoors. The gas emitted by it will gradually fill the entire space.
• Various household heating appliances if installed or used incorrectly.
• Buildings where the chimney does not work properly, carbon monoxide does not pass through the mine and stagnates in residential premises.
• Household fires. Frequent cases of poisoning with fumes if a person was in close proximity to the source of ignition.
• Grill on charcoal. In gazebos and enclosed spaces where the device is installed, harmful gas accumulates. Therefore, it is imperative to provide the grill with a good ventilation system.
• scuba gear and others breathing apparatus. Care must be taken to ensure that they have a quality supply of fresh air.

In addition, proper ventilation should be ensured in new houses or apartments. Household carbon monoxide accumulates over time, and if its natural outflow does not occur, it will harm the body.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

Symptoms of poisoning can appear both instantly, immediately after interaction with carbon monoxide, and for many months. In the latter case, we are talking about pathological changes that have occurred due to the ingestion of a toxic substance into the body.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may vary slightly with intoxication of varying severity:

1. Mild poisoning. The victim is tormented by vomiting, weakness in the body, tinnitus. This is the first reaction from the brain, which is experiencing oxygen starvation.
2. Moderate poisoning. It is characterized by short-term memory loss, adynamia, muscle tremors, movement disorders. There may be color blindness, double vision. A couple of hours after poisoning, disturbances in the functioning of the respiratory and circulatory systems are possible. There is tachycardia, heart failure, rapid pulse. The victim may lose consciousness, which will predetermine a fatal outcome in the absence of outside help.
3. Severe poisoning. With this form of intoxication, a person can be in a coma for a week. The victim has irreversible brain damage, frequent seizures and convulsions occur, the patient does not control the processes of defecation and urination, hyperhidrosis is noted. Man has ragged breath fever body up to 38-39 degrees. Possible death if respiratory paralysis occurs. Doctors can make any predictions of survival based on the duration and depth of the coma.

In moderate and severe forms of poisoning, the victim may also develop bronchitis, swelling of the respiratory tract. Moreover, the symptoms of the disease do not appear immediately, they develop to the state of pathology within 2-4 days. Also, often a few days after poisoning, hair loss is observed in in large numbers, profuse rashes and irritation of the skin.

Features of the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning

The victim must first be taken out to fresh air. A good draft should be arranged in the building - open all windows and doors. After that, you need to urgently call ambulance to provide qualified medical care.

First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning

Before the arrival of doctors, it is necessary to carry out a set of measures to alleviate the condition of the victim. Treat carbon monoxide poisoning slowly, without fuss.

It usually includes the following procedures:

• Clearing the human airways. Lay it on its side. Provide fresh air.
• Activation of the respiratory process. It is necessary to stimulate the flow of blood to the head. To do this, let the patient smell the ammonia, but do not bring the substance closer to the nose at a distance of less than 1 centimeter.
• Improvement of cerebral circulation. This can be done with the help of mustard plasters or by simply rubbing the chest and back of the patient.
• After the person regains consciousness, offer him tea or coffee. A hot drink will help tone the nervous system.

Remember! In any case, the patient should lie on his side so that the tongue does not fall or suffocate with vomit.

Drug therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning

Patients with moderate and severe poisoning must be hospitalized. Outpatient treatment is possible with a mild form of intoxication.

The main antidote in the treatment of this type of intoxication is 100% oxygen. The required dose is 9-16 liters per minute. She comes through the mask. If the patient is unconscious, intubate and transfer him to a ventilator.

In the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning, infusion therapy is also used, which helps to correct hemodynamic disorders. The essence of this treatment is that the patient is given a course of sodium bicarbonate droppers. Polyionic solutions are also administered intravenously - Quartasol and Chlosol.

Acizol is also used to eliminate the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. The drug accelerates the breakdown of harmful carboxyhemoglobin, helps saturate the blood with oxygen, and reduces the effects of gas toxins on nerve cells and muscle tissues. Acizol is administered intramuscularly shortly after the gas enters the body. The next injection is given after 60 minutes.

Victims are also prescribed vitamins that will help the body replenish energy costs. Intravenous administration of a glucose solution may be prescribed.

Folk remedies to eliminate the consequences of gas poisoning

Traditional medicine will help get rid of the serious consequences of carbon monoxide intoxication. But it is worth noting that such treatment is recommended after the victim receives professional help and drug therapy.

Recipes of folk remedies:

1. Cranberry-lingonberry infusion. Required: 150 grams of dried cranberries and 200 grams of cranberries. The ingredients are thoroughly rubbed. After they need to pour 350 milliliters of boiling water. The broth should be infused for 2-3 hours, then it must be filtered. Remedy used 5-6 times a day, 2 tablespoons.
2. Knotweed infusion. Helps to remove harmful toxins from the body as soon as possible. Preparation: 3 tablespoons of chopped dry herbs pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Insist 3 hours, strain. Take 1 glass 3 times a day.
3. Alcoholic infusion of Rhodiola rosea extract. Tincture can be bought at any pharmacy kiosk. Recommended dosage: Dissolve 7-12 drops of the extract in a glass of water. Drink twice a day for half a glass. You can drink infusion clean water, sweetened not large quantity honey.
4. Dandelion Root Infusion. This plant has an excellent antitoxic effect. Pour 10 grams of dry crushed raw materials with 250 milliliters of boiling water. Cook over low heat for 20 minutes. Then let the broth brew for another 40 minutes. Strain, dilute with 100 milliliters of warm boiled water. Drink 3-4 times a day, 1 tablespoon.

Prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning

Ignorance of the symptoms of poisoning and the basics of first aid often causes intoxication to end. lethal outcome. Therefore, each person should know what to do in case of carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as follow simple preventive measures to avoid this.

Prevention rules are as follows:

• Before use, always check the correct operation of appliances that use combustible fuel. This will help to detect damage in time and maintain health.
• Before the start of the heating season, be sure to check the chimneys and ventilation shafts.
• If the room does not work well ventilation system always ventilate it well. Take immediate action to improve ventilation.
• Do not start the car in an unventilated area.
• Never fall asleep in a running car.
• Install a special detector in your home that detects carbon monoxide leaks.
• Try to spend as little time as possible on busy highways where there is a large congestion of cars, especially during peak hours.

What to do in case of carbon monoxide poisoning - see the video:

Carbon monoxide poisoning is easier and safer to prevent by following simple preventive measures. Remember that even in case of mild intoxication, a doctor's consultation is required! This will help to avoid serious complications that threaten poisoning with this toxic gas.

It is not for nothing that carbon monoxide is called an oxygen poison - when it enters the body, it quickly comes into contact with hemoglobin and blocks the transfer of oxygen to cells, and also disrupts the biochemical balance in tissues. As a result, the body experiences oxygen starvation.

Since the nerve cells are especially sensitive to the lack of oxygen, the first poisoning manifests itself in the form of a malfunction. nervous system. The person begins to feel dizzy headache, knocking in and . There may also be a slight lack of coordination.

For a mild degree of carbon monoxide poisoning, symptoms such as lacrimation, chest pain, vomiting, redness of the skin, increased blood pressure, and tachycardia are also characteristic. Auditory and visual hallucinations are also possible. With moderate severity, there is a feeling of drowsiness, paralysis is possible with the preservation of consciousness.

A severe degree of carbon monoxide poisoning is manifested by loss of consciousness, convulsions, weakening of the pupils' reaction to light, involuntary bowel movements, blue skin, and respiratory failure. If you do not immediately provide assistance at this stage, coma, respiratory arrest and death are possible.

Consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning

Mild carbon monoxide poisoning, when provided with timely and proper medical care, usually does not entail serious consequences for the body. In other cases, there may be a violation of cerebral circulation, cerebral edema, impaired vision and hearing, polyneuritis, myocardial infarction, partial paralysis, skin disorders with the development of necrosis. And with a long stay in a coma, a severe degree is almost always noted.

Medical care for carbon monoxide poisoning

A person affected by carbon monoxide in any condition must first be removed to fresh air. In case of moderate and severe poisoning, it is necessary to provide him with peace, unfasten his belt, shirt, remove his tie and insure. After that, you need to call an ambulance, otherwise they can be fatal. In case of mild carbon monoxide poisoning, the victim should be given a sniff of a cotton swab dipped in ammonia and a glass of strong tea. And then provide him with peace and a long stay in the fresh air.

Not far off the cold and the heating season. And I will look for warmth, though not always the right way. Sleeping in a car with the engine running, gas and wood-burning stoves, homemade products sometimes lead to a disastrous result - carbon monoxide poisoning, a product incomplete combustion products with carbon.

Mostly at risk are villagers without central heating and truck drivers. But there is a similar poisoning in the absence (turn off) of heating in city apartments, with a leak of domestic gas, in case of fire.

Causes of carbon monoxide poisoning

The main cause of poisoning is the inhalation of carbon monoxide. This oxide blocks the delivery of O2 to organs and tissues. Due to the lack of oxygen, brain cells die, the work of the nervous system is seriously disrupted, and pathological processes occur throughout the body.

Signs of poisoning

The main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning occur when carbon dioxide is inhaled. A person cannot immediately suspect something is wrong, this gas has no smell, no color. And the toxic effect accumulates very quickly, at a concentration of just over one percent, death occurs in three minutes.

Initial symptom with carbon monoxide poisoning - this is vomiting, lacrimation, chest pain.

A dangerous symptom in case of poisoning is loss of consciousness, which indicates severe intoxication, heart failure and disruption of the brain.

Learn more about the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning

Timely rendering will help to avoid death. Therefore, in case of poisoning, it is necessary to act quickly and effectively. First thing to do:

• stop the flow of carbon dioxide: turn off the gas stove or put out the wood stove, turn off the car engine (if the action takes place in the car);

• take the victim outside or open all windows;

• be sure to call 03;

• unfasten all buttons and belts on the victim's clothing;

• lay the victim on his side to prevent aspiration of vomit and give him artificial respiration and chest compressions if he does not have spontaneous breathing;

• sometimes, to restore spontaneous breathing, it is enough to give a sniff of cotton wool with ammonia;

• if the victim is conscious, offer him a plentiful hot drink, do not let him sleep until the ambulance arrives.

Consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning

Prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning

To avoid gas poisoning, you need to follow these simple rules:

• Use factory gas ovens. wood stoves should only be installed by the master.

• Turn off the gas stove before going to bed.

• Check gas equipment regularly.

• Fire up the wood stove 3 hours before bedtime and make sure that all the wood and charcoal burns out.

• Systematically clean the chimney from soot.

• Do not use synthetic waste for furnace fire.

• Do not turn on a faulty gas stove and do not heat a wood stove if the stove has poor draft and part of the smoke goes back into the room.

• Do not sleep in a car with the engine running.

• Do not start the car in a closed garage.

• Carry out regularly technical inspection vehicle for gas leaks.

• Prepare in advance for heating season: clean chimney, clean the hoods gas oven. Check gas stove pipes for gas leaks and repair if necessary.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is such a serious problem, ending in tears of relatives in the cemetery, that you should not ignore it and neglect elementary precautions.

- This is a pathological condition that occurs when inhaling air or smoke saturated with carbon monoxide. The clinical picture is dominated by disorders of the central nervous system, respiratory and cardiovascular insufficiency. characteristic feature poisoning is a bright hyperemia of the skin. The diagnosis is established on the basis of anamnesis data, clinical manifestations, determination of the level of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood. As emergency care oxygen therapy and detoxification measures are carried out. Further symptomatic conservative treatment is carried out.

Forecast and prevention

The prognosis depends on the severity of the pathological process, the timeliness and quality of medical care. Light poisoning stops without consequences, moderate and severe often leads to complications from the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. It is not possible to predict the recovery of a patient in a coma. A poor prognostic sign is an aggravation of neurological symptoms during the first 48 hours against the background of intensive treatment.

For preventive purposes, fire safety rules must be observed. In order to avoid household and industrial poisoning, do not use faulty gas and stove equipment, electrical appliances. It is not recommended to be in the garage with the car engine running. Industrial premises must be well ventilated.