huh. Today someone on a message board was all 'what's that headache you get when things don't burn properly' and I was all 'eeep! Carbon Monoxide poisoning!' and it turned out to be true. They've had the gas man out and he found nasty amounts. *shudders*
There are a lot of days when I don't like my 'eep!' loops, because they are triggered far too often by little little things. But then again, there are days like this.
Which is the problem with trying to get rid of anxiety problems, they just arent always illogical.
http://www.carbon-monoxide-poisoning.com/Carbon monoxide is produced whenever fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned.
The amount of CO produced while using fuel-burning appliances is usually not harmful. It becomes hazardous when appliances are used improperly or are not functioning adequately.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning or other illnesses and can have a long term health risk if left unattended. Some of the symptoms are the following.
Shortness of breath
Mild nausea
Mild headaches
Moderate levels of CO exposure can cause death if the following symptoms persist for a long measure of time.
Headaches
Dizziness
Nausea
Light-headedness
High levels of CO can be fatal causing death within minutes.
Treatment Options
There are immediate measures you can take to help those suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Get the victim into fresh air immediately.
If you can not get the people out of the house, then open all windows and doors. Any combustion appliances should be turned off.
Take those who were subjected to carbon monoxide to a hospital emergency room as quickly as possible. A simple blood test will be able to determine if carbon monoxide poisoning has occurred.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_poisoningCO binds very strongly to the iron atoms in hemoglobin, the principal oxygen-carrying compound in blood. The affinity between CO and hemoglobin is 200 times stronger than the affinity between hemoglobin and oxygen. As CO binds to the hemoglobin, it cannot be released nearly as readily as oxygen would be. Thus, the body's hemoglobin becomes saturated with CO and is rendered incapable of carrying oxygen to the body. A sufficient exposure to carbon monoxide can reduce the amount of oxygen taken up by the brain to the point that the victim becomes unconscious, and can suffer brain damage or even death from anoxia. Hemoglobin acquires a bright red colour when bound to carbon monoxide, so a casualty of CO poisoning can actually look abnormally pink-cheeked and healthy.
A major problem of accidental CO poisoning that still exists is the use of heaters, particularly gas water heaters and gas fires which are improperly vented. A number of deaths occur every year from this cause.
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