Little is known about chronic CO poisoning, and it is often misdiagnosed.
Although most CO poisoning is acute, or sudden, it is possible to suffer from chronic CO poisoning. This condition exists when a person is exposed to low levels of the gas over a period of days to months.
Anyone who is exposed to CO will become sick, and the entire body is involved in CO poisoning.
The symptoms of CO poisoning and the speed with which they appear depend on the concentration of CO in the air and the rate and efficiency with which a person breathes.
The speed and degree of recovery from CO poisoning depends on the length and duration of exposure to the gas.
Emergency room physicians have the most experience diagnosing and treating CO poisoning.
In severe cases of CO poisoning, patients are given hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Stopping smoking. Smokers have less tolerance to environmental CO.
Under these circumstances, one or more persons suffering from the symptoms listed above strongly suggests CO poisoning.
Concrete confirmation of CO poisoning comes from a carboxyhemoglobin test.
In some cases, the skin, mucous membranes, and nails of a person with CO poisoning are cherry red or bright pink.
They will often use 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide for victims of CO poisoning because they are trying to force the CO off the hemoglobin on the Red Blood Cell.
Although the symptoms of CO poisoning may subside in a few hours, some patients show memory problems, fatigue, confusion, and mood changes for two to four weeks after their exposure to the gas.