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Question
Hello doctor,
In winter, elderly people often use coal for heating, but the room is closed, so they inhale a lot of exhaust gas from coal, and are now in a coma. The doctor told me how to treat people with CO poisoning from charcoal? Thank you doctor.
Anonymous customer
Answer
Answered by Master, Doctor Pham Duc Luong - Emergency Department, Vinmec Times City International Hospital.
Hello,
With the question “How should people with CO poisoning from charcoal need to be treated? ”, the doctor replied as follows:
When the weather is cold, in some places there is no modern heating facility/system (air conditioner, electric heater/fan...), especially in the area In the mountains and countryside, some families use coal and firewood for heating. When burning coal, especially in a tight, closed space, burning coal will burn all oxygen and produce CO, which causes poisoning. Meanwhile, CO gas is colorless and odorless, so it is difficult to perceive, especially when people are sleeping.
Coal gas poisoning is caused by a lack of oxygen in the brain, while the gray matter cells that direct human activities, responsible for mental, emotional, and rational activities are very sensitive to hypoxia. Therefore, when poisoning with coal gas, these cells will be damaged first. Too much poisoning will cause death, and those who survive will have serious health and mental effects.
Victims of CO poisoning will have the following symptoms:
At first, symptoms are scattered and non-specific. If mild poisoning usually only feels headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, fatigue, the patient is easily mistaken for a virus infection. In some people, the skin is red, but this is a non-specific symptom. Moderate poisoning: The victim feels chest pain, difficulty concentrating, blurred vision, shortness of breath with mild exertion, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, muscle necrosis, ataxia. In severe poisoning, chest pain, palpitations, disorientation, convulsions, coma, cardiac arrhythmias, hypotension, myocardial ischemia, skin burns, urinary and bowel incontinence are observed. Patients may faint, purple lips and fingertips, toes; spasticity of the limbs or abnormal movements. Victims find it difficult to breathe, breathing pink foam. Painful swollen limbs, dark urine, red and less. Neurological and psychiatric sequelae are seen in many cases of CO poisoning. After recovery, the patient changes personality, reduces memory, reduces concentration, hemiplegia, abnormal movement, difficulty walking, walking. Slow movement, stiff and trembling limbs, facial muscles paralysis. These manifestations are called late neuropsychiatric syndromes, accounting for up to 40% of cases of victims of CO poisoning.
Treatment when someone is poisoned with CO If the patient is unconscious or dies, gas poisoning is immediately thought of. It is necessary to quickly open the doors, urgently take the victim out of the contaminated area and quickly take him to the nearest medical facility for emergency treatment and treatment because when the CO level is over 60. %, the rate of coma and death is high. The person who comes to the victim's first aid must also pay attention to ensure their own safety, and at the same time quickly call others for assistance, call for medical emergency such as calling 911. If the patient is breathing weakly or stops breathing, they must proceed. immediately give asphyxiation by mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose breathing. If the victim is no longer conscious, place the patient on his or her side in a safe position, then give breaths and give rescue breaths, and quickly transfer to the nearest medical facility for proper and timely treatment. Prevention of poisoning
To prevent poisoning, it is necessary to use coal properly. Do not burn coal, firewood in the house, do not let the engine of motorbikes, cars, ... start the engine in the room even when opening the door is also very dangerous. If you still have questions about how people with CO poisoning from charcoal need to be treated, you can go to a medical facility under Vinmec Health System for early examination and treatment. Thank you for trusting and sending questions to Vinmec. Wishing you lots of health.
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