Signs Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is silent and deadly. When an individual is exposed to excess amounts of carbon monoxide, it can build up in your bloodstream. As the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air increases and the lungs begin pulling it in, the body starts replacing oxygen with it. This results in serious damage, unconsciousness, and even death. Since carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, individuals can be overcome by it without any warning. Proper ventilation of spaces where it could accumulate is vital to prevent poisoning. Homes should also have carbon monoxide detectors to help protect the homeowners. And, if there is ever a doubt, a homeowner can usually contact their local fire department who can check the levels in their home to make sure they are not excessive.

Weakness

A feeling of not being able to pick things up, walk, or perform your daily routine can be a sign of weakness. While this can be a symptom of many different ailments, it is certainly associated with carbon monoxide poisoning. It can be accompanied by other symptoms but is certainly something that must be monitored in case more symptoms begin to appear. For instance, one day you may feel too weak to make dinner and do the dishes. But, the next day, you might feel too weak to get out of bed. If the feebleness is persisting or getting worse, seek medical attention. You also need to let any health professional know if there is any reason to think it might be carbon monoxide poisoning so they can test your blood.

Confusion

As the cells in the body are being deprived of oxygen, the brain suffers, causing confusion. Not being able to understand what is going on or how to complete simple tasks may seem like a normal period of misunderstanding. You might think you are having a 'moment' of misperception, but in fact, if you are being exposed to carbon monoxide, you could be suffering damage from the fumes. If the confusion continues, gets worse, or is accompanied by other symptoms, a carbon monoxide investigation should be performed in the area where the individual spends a lot of time, like at home. Sometimes, the home can leak due to a faulty furnace. The leak may be slight but can get worse over time.

Furthermore, you need to make sure you are not running a car in a closed garage. It can cause the garage to fill with carbon dioxide and leak into your home. Understanding and getting a full medical evaluation might be worth the inconvenience and the commitment of time. This way you can evaluate your home situation and medical health.