Quick Fact Sheet
THE HIDDEN DANGER OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
1. Headache
2. Dizziness
3.Irritability
4.Confusion/Memory loss
5.Disorientation
6.Nausea and vomiting
7.Abnormal reflexes
8.Difficulty in coordinating
9.Difficulty in breathing
10.Chest Pain
11.Cerebral Edema
12.Convulsions/Seizures
13.Coma
14.Death
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Often, several members of the same family or those in a given building will complain of the same symptoms. Children are thought to be more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning than adults. Some people may not suspect that CO poisoning is occurring until major symptoms appear. Carbon Monoxide poisoning can mimic gastroenteritis (nausea and vomiting). Other manifestations may cause the appearance of what may appear to be a neurological or psychiatric disorder. High risk groups include infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with a previous history of cardiac insufficiency or chronic obstructive lung disease.
MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES
Cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) is also a common result of severe carbon monoxide poisoning. This life threatening condition entails the destruction of brain cells by compressing them into themselves within the cranial compartment. Drugs that are normally used for the treatment of cerebral edema, like Dexamethasone and Mannitol, do not seem to be of assistance in the treatment of CO induced cerebral edema. Studies have shown that cerebral edema caused by CO poisoning can cause delayed neurological problems that involve the "higher" or cognitive functions, and may cause a Parkinsonian-like brain syndrome.
CAUSATIVE FACTORS
Other incidents have been reported in apartments where gas stoves are being used for heat. In at least one case, carbon monoxide poisoning was caused by the use of a charcoal grill within an apartment's bathtub. More than fifty percent (50%) of all carbon monoxide incidents occur within homes. Twenty percent (20%) of all incidents occur in businesses of various types.
TREATMENT
1.Move the victim(s) to fresh air, this will only relieve immediate symptoms of acute poisoning, remember if you have chronic poisoning that is low level and that has gone on for some time your deteriation may be gradual so it could be some time before you notice.
2.Activate the Fire/Emergency Medical Service System, if victim(s) are experiencing any symptoms, if the fire department is called and they have the equipment ask them to record the CO PPM (parts per million of carbon monoxide in the air). This could be used to help your doctor diagnose your illness, also should you decide to pursue a legal claim may well help your legal team.
3.Monitor for respiratory problems, get a COHb test to check for carbon monoxide levels in the blood.
4.Ventilate the affected area
Upon arrival, it is recommended that Basic Life Support (BLS) (e.g. EMT) personnel should:
1.Evaluate for respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, or pneumonic.
2.Administer humidified 100% oxygen by tight- fitting face mask. Assist ventilations as needed
3.Monitor Vital Signs
4.Monitor level of consciousness
5.Consider early transport to a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber for severely poisoned patients
6.Place the patient in a position of comfort and keep them warm
It is recommended that Advanced Life Support (A.L.S.) (e.g. Paramedic) personnel should:
1.Further evaluate the respiratory tract for dysfunction or possible compromise - intubate and assist ventilation as needed
2.Draw a blood sample for Carboxyhemoglobin analysis
3.Provide 100% humidified oxygen, do not delay administration of oxygen while performing blood sampling
4.Administer normal saline or other crystalline parental fluids at 2/3 to 3/4 of normal maintenance rates
5.Prepare for the possibility of generalized seizures in severe cases. Give diazepam (Valium) in 2-10 mg. doses (as needed) to terminate and control seizure activity
6.Perform electrocardiogram monitoring of the patient, be especially aware of ventricular ectopic beats and heart blocks. EKG changes seen most commonly in CO patients are ST segment depression, T-wave abnormalities, atrial fibrillation, and PVCs.
7.Any patient found unconscious, seizing, or with EKG changes and with an associated history should be treated as a severe carbon monoxide poisoning until proven otherwise
8.Consider direct transport to a Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy facility, with Oxygen being administered enroute, for severely poisoned patients
9.If the patient's history suggests any possibility of CO Poisoning, treat him/her as though they were exposed
PREVENTION AND CONCLUSIONS
Many lives could be saved and much disability prevented if citizens could learn to recognize and prevent the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Preventive efforts such as checking furnace flues, chimneys, and vents could help to alleviate the hazard. The use of good common sense in not using open flames, ovens and other appliances not intended for heating, could reduce the number of carbon monoxide related incidents. It is also recommended that homeowners have their complete heating systems checked before every heating season.
Only by being aware of the peril, and understanding the nature of the hazard, can we help to prevent unnecessary exposures to deadly carbon monoxide. By understanding the mechanism of injury, we can be better prepared to treat the effects of this toxic product. In this way, it is expected that the number of people who succumb to carbon monoxide's "deadly clutches" can be reduced.
from the Carbon Monoxide Site
Showing posts with label headache. Show all posts
Showing posts with label headache. Show all posts
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Houstan Death From Salmonellosis:
The CDC is currently investigating the death of a Houston woman, Wednesday, to determine if it is related to current raw tomato outbreak of Salmonella. The woman had an immuno-suppressed system as she had lymphoma.
There have been approximately, to date, one hundred and forty nine people infected from the Salmonella outbreak.
The Texas Board Of Health has determined that the source of the raw tomato outbreak is not from any tomatoes found in Texas. The Whole Foods grocery chain in Texas has however pulled the tomatoes off the shelves for the public's safety.
The CDC states the safest way to deal with tomatoes is not to buy the roma, round or pear-shaped tomatoes. The safe ones are homegrown, ones attached to the vine, grape and cherry tomatoes. However, if you already have the others don't eat them raw. If you cook them at one hundred and forty five degrees this will kill off the Salmonella germs. Also, please be careful in washing your hands before and after handling tomatoes. Keep tomatoes separate from all raw meat/seafood. Wash all cutting boards/utensils/countertops, that you use for cutting tomatoes, with hot soapy water, rinsing well afterwards. Also before cutting any other food.
Using can tomatoes is one of the safest options; some restaurants are beginning to use this option for the public's safety. One such restaurant includes Jack In The Box in California. To date only one person in California has been infected, it is believed she contracted it on a recent trip to Houstan though.
Seek medical attention if you suspect Salmonella poisoning. The symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, headache, stomach pain and occasional vomiting.
There have been approximately, to date, one hundred and forty nine people infected from the Salmonella outbreak.
The Texas Board Of Health has determined that the source of the raw tomato outbreak is not from any tomatoes found in Texas. The Whole Foods grocery chain in Texas has however pulled the tomatoes off the shelves for the public's safety.
The CDC states the safest way to deal with tomatoes is not to buy the roma, round or pear-shaped tomatoes. The safe ones are homegrown, ones attached to the vine, grape and cherry tomatoes. However, if you already have the others don't eat them raw. If you cook them at one hundred and forty five degrees this will kill off the Salmonella germs. Also, please be careful in washing your hands before and after handling tomatoes. Keep tomatoes separate from all raw meat/seafood. Wash all cutting boards/utensils/countertops, that you use for cutting tomatoes, with hot soapy water, rinsing well afterwards. Also before cutting any other food.
Using can tomatoes is one of the safest options; some restaurants are beginning to use this option for the public's safety. One such restaurant includes Jack In The Box in California. To date only one person in California has been infected, it is believed she contracted it on a recent trip to Houstan though.
Seek medical attention if you suspect Salmonella poisoning. The symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, headache, stomach pain and occasional vomiting.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Migraines:
Migraines affect about 16-17 percent of us at one time in our lives. That's on the average of 20 million migraines daily. Statistically women are three times more apt to get migraines than men. Wow, staggering, huh?I myself am a person who has been plagued by migraines since the age of twenty five.
If you haven't had a severe headache that has gone into a migraine or you think you may have had one. You may be wondering what exactly are the symptoms.
1) aura: lights/flashing lights; this happens with only 20% of migraines
2) severe headache lasting anywhere from several hours up to three to four days before you seek medical help.
3) intense throbbing pain
4) nausea; occasionally vomiting this occurs in about 30%
5) headache pain on one side; generally a migraine begins for most on one side
for me it has always been on the left; 60% of migraine suffers have one-sided
migraines.
6) sensitive to light;this is different than the aura-you won't be able to stand lights as they will only make your head throb worse-lying in a dark room helps.
Now maybe you do or don't have a migraine. So why not take the migraine quiz to find out if those pesky headaches have been migraines.
migraine quiz
Most Commonly Known Migraine Triggers:
1) Lack of sleep; try to get at least 6-8 hrs of sleep per night
2) Caffeine, chocolate -- chocolate contains caffeine and I have lived fairly well
on a caffeine restricted diet (of course I had developed an allergy to chocolate
therefore it's easier to stay away from it -- unless I want to itch in unmention-
able places uncontrollably)
3) Stress; this is a very hard one to avoid--therefore you must learn a few stress
relieving exercises or techniques to assist you at times when you're stress
level is going up.
4) Smells; this can be certain perfumes to tobacco smoke -- my worst is cigarette
smoke by far, but also nail polishes, nail polish remover, certain perfumes and
after shaves, even dryer sheets can trigger a migraine for me. I always ask our
family and friends that smoke to kindly do it outside our home. My husband has
asthma therefore it helps him too. Before we married though I had no problem with
any of my family or friends honoring my request (at my/our home). When I go some-
where else though I sometimes find that we may have to leave early due to the
smells may begin to give me a migraine. My husband is very understanding.
5) Alcohol; beer and wine especially (guess the cheap things cause migraines -- well
I bet drinking the expensive stuff will cause one too by looking at the prices-
lol) you can have Riesling wine (no this is not an ad for that brand of wine!),
scotch and vodka--but only 1 glass per day for woman and 2 per day for men. (hey
I'm a woman--so I'm not picking on women believe me)
6) Physical Activity; Physical Exertion;guess you guys now have an excuse to lounge
on the sofa on the weekends huh? Exercise and Sex; guess us women have an excuse
to use to get back at you if you do that too. lol. Actually, strange as this
sounds, contrary to what I just said about sex...I have found that sex has
actually opened up the vessels in my head and helped ease my migraines. But each
person is different. When I have a headache I have sex. So I guess you would have
to see which method works best for you when you have a headache. But, then my
husband has always told me "you are not like the normal person"
7) Skipping Meals; goes to reason, if I go without eating I get a normal headache
even, not just a migraine.
8) Weather Changes; this is a biggie for me--if it's going to rain or a big snow
storm is coming and the barometric pressure changes drastically I get a migraine.
I'm like a barometer for my husband--but then my neck aches too so he is well
informed of weather changes forthcoming.
migraine-headache.com
everydayhealth.com
If you haven't had a severe headache that has gone into a migraine or you think you may have had one. You may be wondering what exactly are the symptoms.
1) aura: lights/flashing lights; this happens with only 20% of migraines
2) severe headache lasting anywhere from several hours up to three to four days before you seek medical help.
3) intense throbbing pain
4) nausea; occasionally vomiting this occurs in about 30%
5) headache pain on one side; generally a migraine begins for most on one side
for me it has always been on the left; 60% of migraine suffers have one-sided
migraines.
6) sensitive to light;this is different than the aura-you won't be able to stand lights as they will only make your head throb worse-lying in a dark room helps.
Now maybe you do or don't have a migraine. So why not take the migraine quiz to find out if those pesky headaches have been migraines.
migraine quiz
Most Commonly Known Migraine Triggers:
1) Lack of sleep; try to get at least 6-8 hrs of sleep per night
2) Caffeine, chocolate -- chocolate contains caffeine and I have lived fairly well
on a caffeine restricted diet (of course I had developed an allergy to chocolate
therefore it's easier to stay away from it -- unless I want to itch in unmention-
able places uncontrollably)
3) Stress; this is a very hard one to avoid--therefore you must learn a few stress
relieving exercises or techniques to assist you at times when you're stress
level is going up.
4) Smells; this can be certain perfumes to tobacco smoke -- my worst is cigarette
smoke by far, but also nail polishes, nail polish remover, certain perfumes and
after shaves, even dryer sheets can trigger a migraine for me. I always ask our
family and friends that smoke to kindly do it outside our home. My husband has
asthma therefore it helps him too. Before we married though I had no problem with
any of my family or friends honoring my request (at my/our home). When I go some-
where else though I sometimes find that we may have to leave early due to the
smells may begin to give me a migraine. My husband is very understanding.
5) Alcohol; beer and wine especially (guess the cheap things cause migraines -- well
I bet drinking the expensive stuff will cause one too by looking at the prices-
lol) you can have Riesling wine (no this is not an ad for that brand of wine!),
scotch and vodka--but only 1 glass per day for woman and 2 per day for men. (hey
I'm a woman--so I'm not picking on women believe me)
6) Physical Activity; Physical Exertion;guess you guys now have an excuse to lounge
on the sofa on the weekends huh? Exercise and Sex; guess us women have an excuse
to use to get back at you if you do that too. lol. Actually, strange as this
sounds, contrary to what I just said about sex...I have found that sex has
actually opened up the vessels in my head and helped ease my migraines. But each
person is different. When I have a headache I have sex. So I guess you would have
to see which method works best for you when you have a headache. But, then my
husband has always told me "you are not like the normal person"
7) Skipping Meals; goes to reason, if I go without eating I get a normal headache
even, not just a migraine.
8) Weather Changes; this is a biggie for me--if it's going to rain or a big snow
storm is coming and the barometric pressure changes drastically I get a migraine.
I'm like a barometer for my husband--but then my neck aches too so he is well
informed of weather changes forthcoming.
migraine-headache.com
everydayhealth.com
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Auto-Immune Disease: Menieres
Menieres
Living with Menieres is living with an invisible disability. As nobody can see you are disable like those who carry a cane when they have a stroke. They are noticed. Menieres is an auto-immune disease is like so many auto-immune disease in that it will strike when it wants and can also go in to remission similar to MS. Therefore, you can go happily along for weeks, months, even a year without any dizziness that is debilitating to the effect that it throws you off balance to cause you to stumble or even fall or make you to grab a wall to steady yourself. You can't drive when you are experiencing this type of dizziness as it can cause you to get into an accident. So you must then rely on others. You need assistance sometimes just to get back to your chair when it hits so suddenly that you feel as if the whole world is spinning out of control and the rug is being pulled out from under your feet. For three years I spent three times a week going into the Emergency room of the local hospital due to falls occurring from this dreadful disease. Ending up with minor sprains or even twisted ankles, sprained wrists, severe concussion/terrible headache (from hitting my head) or even a broken finger at times. At this point I almost gave up on having a normal existence and began wearing a home alert button around my neck to call the ambulance to my house, when I was alone, in case I fell and couldn't get up. I even had to have home health come in so someone would be here in case I got dizzy while I was in the shower, which happened at least fifty percent of the time. It was a dreadful way to live. Then I had TMJ surgery on my side that had the affected Menieres ear (where I lost part of my hearing due to Menieres) and the dizzy spells lessened. "Wow" I thought this is great. After eight months of only having small spells that lasted only five to six minutes. Instead of two hours to four days in length like before. I asked the doctor if he felt I could go back to work. I went back to work again. It felt great to work again.
Then about a month ago. BAM! Menieres reared it's ugly head again. And now I can no longer perform my duties at work as my work requires my use of sticking patients with needles and bending over. I can not with good conscious injure a patient. Therefore, I found a need to resign. I am devastated. Now I must once again struggle with this confounded invisible disability in which little is know as to what causes it. Not only am I plaqued by dizzy spells but by a variety of other aches, pains, my migraines have also worsened dispite the medication I am on, I have insomnia, and I am also continually fatiqued. My doctor has sent me to a specialist for testing for other auto-immune diseases such as lupus or fibrmyalgia. I got myself off of SSD while I was working and was proud of that fact. Now, I must go back on until it can be controlled again.
Many people in society do not understand nor think that you have should draw Social Security Disability if you don't seem to have a problem they can see. arAuto-Immune disease e such an illness that many people have no understanding/concept about as most are typically invisible until they have flare ups.I know their are alot of disabilities out there that society believes are all in our minds and that we are faking. Just because they are not visible like strokes and paraplegics etc. However, we must somehow educate society on the lesser known diseases and disabilities known as auto-immune or invisible in order for them to have an understanding of what we are undergoing. I hope by writing this in hopes of educating people about auto-immune diseases. I also hope to educate and make the public more aware that there are "real people" that are in "real need" due to "true, unseen disabilities" that are not trying to take advantage of the system. Some wish they didn't have to rely on Government Assistance for help, because in most cases it's not as much as they could earn if they were actually working. When I worked, during the time my Menieres was in remission, I made nearly three times what I had been receiving on SSD and brought home twice what I had been receiveing on SSD per month. Therefore, my lifestyle was of a much higher standard and I was much happier and not at all depressed. I still have hopes that I will again get everything once more "under control" and one day be "back to work."
Living with Menieres is living with an invisible disability. As nobody can see you are disable like those who carry a cane when they have a stroke. They are noticed. Menieres is an auto-immune disease is like so many auto-immune disease in that it will strike when it wants and can also go in to remission similar to MS. Therefore, you can go happily along for weeks, months, even a year without any dizziness that is debilitating to the effect that it throws you off balance to cause you to stumble or even fall or make you to grab a wall to steady yourself. You can't drive when you are experiencing this type of dizziness as it can cause you to get into an accident. So you must then rely on others. You need assistance sometimes just to get back to your chair when it hits so suddenly that you feel as if the whole world is spinning out of control and the rug is being pulled out from under your feet. For three years I spent three times a week going into the Emergency room of the local hospital due to falls occurring from this dreadful disease. Ending up with minor sprains or even twisted ankles, sprained wrists, severe concussion/terrible headache (from hitting my head) or even a broken finger at times. At this point I almost gave up on having a normal existence and began wearing a home alert button around my neck to call the ambulance to my house, when I was alone, in case I fell and couldn't get up. I even had to have home health come in so someone would be here in case I got dizzy while I was in the shower, which happened at least fifty percent of the time. It was a dreadful way to live. Then I had TMJ surgery on my side that had the affected Menieres ear (where I lost part of my hearing due to Menieres) and the dizzy spells lessened. "Wow" I thought this is great. After eight months of only having small spells that lasted only five to six minutes. Instead of two hours to four days in length like before. I asked the doctor if he felt I could go back to work. I went back to work again. It felt great to work again.
Then about a month ago. BAM! Menieres reared it's ugly head again. And now I can no longer perform my duties at work as my work requires my use of sticking patients with needles and bending over. I can not with good conscious injure a patient. Therefore, I found a need to resign. I am devastated. Now I must once again struggle with this confounded invisible disability in which little is know as to what causes it. Not only am I plaqued by dizzy spells but by a variety of other aches, pains, my migraines have also worsened dispite the medication I am on, I have insomnia, and I am also continually fatiqued. My doctor has sent me to a specialist for testing for other auto-immune diseases such as lupus or fibrmyalgia. I got myself off of SSD while I was working and was proud of that fact. Now, I must go back on until it can be controlled again.
Many people in society do not understand nor think that you have should draw Social Security Disability if you don't seem to have a problem they can see. arAuto-Immune disease e such an illness that many people have no understanding/concept about as most are typically invisible until they have flare ups.I know their are alot of disabilities out there that society believes are all in our minds and that we are faking. Just because they are not visible like strokes and paraplegics etc. However, we must somehow educate society on the lesser known diseases and disabilities known as auto-immune or invisible in order for them to have an understanding of what we are undergoing. I hope by writing this in hopes of educating people about auto-immune diseases. I also hope to educate and make the public more aware that there are "real people" that are in "real need" due to "true, unseen disabilities" that are not trying to take advantage of the system. Some wish they didn't have to rely on Government Assistance for help, because in most cases it's not as much as they could earn if they were actually working. When I worked, during the time my Menieres was in remission, I made nearly three times what I had been receiving on SSD and brought home twice what I had been receiveing on SSD per month. Therefore, my lifestyle was of a much higher standard and I was much happier and not at all depressed. I still have hopes that I will again get everything once more "under control" and one day be "back to work."
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