How to Spot Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas formed from the incomplete burning of organic compounds. Most deaths from carbon monoxide result from building fires, but a significant portion are caused by malfunctioning or blocked exhaust systems. Carbon monoxide is highly toxic because it is effective at blocking the delivery of oxygen and most severely effects organs such as the brain and heart. Here's how to identify carbon monoxide poisoning.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Expect carbon monoxide poisoning to be difficult to diagnose because of the broad range and vagueness of the common symptoms. Acute poisoning is most frequently associated with the physical symptoms of breathing difficulty, chest pain, drowsiness, fatigue, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
2. Be alert for changes in mental state. Carbon monoxide can also cause dramatic changes in behavior because of its effect on the brain. These effects include agitation, confusion, depression, hallucinations, impulsiveness and memory difficulties.
3. Inquire about exposure when considering this diagnosis. Carbon monoxide poisoning should be suspected when the above symptoms occur during the winter, especially when multiple patients from the same household present similar complaints.
4. Look for additional signs of chronic carbon monoxide poisoning. These include the loss of dentation, recent loss of cognitive ability and neurologic symptoms with a gradual onset.
5. Measure the level of carbon monoxide in the blood with a spectrophotometric analyzer. This is not conclusive, however, as chronic smokers can have a CO level as high as 10 percent. A patient who has had significant exposure to carbon monoxide may have a low CO level if they have already been treated with pure oxygen.