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Is Irritation And Confusion Normal While Recovering From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Question: My son is being treated for a slow poisining of carbon monoxide. His carbon monoxide level was 20% and he is being treated with oxygen. He is 22 years old. My question is should we do testing on his heart and brain? He was exposed by an unknown problem with his car, which he is in his car a minimum of 2-3 hours a day. It is unclear how long the problem has existed, however he began showing symptoms approximately 4-5 days ago and last night his girlfriend insisted on coming to the hospital after he was acting more and more irritable and confused (which began appearing about 2 days ago. Thank you so very much, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Currently getting rid of the gas is most important.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to HealthCareMagic, I am Dr Muhammd Ahmad, I have closely read your question and I understand your concerns, I will hereby guide you regarding your health related problem.
Brain and heart are automatically tested when a patient is treated in emergency a doctor checks brain signs during first interaction to see if it is fine. And usually EKG is immediately done and this rules out most of heart conditions. Blood pressures pulse rate also tell about heart condition so usually heart and brain testing are not indicated in all patients of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Yes if he doesn't get better or a doctor finds any heart or brain signs showing any problems he will get brain and heart specific tests done. If he was found to have 20% levels days later, it means levels would have been much higher when he was exposed. Carbon monoxide binds to blood very very strongly so high flow oxygen is given to break that bond, as this happens patient improves drastically.
I would suggest you not to panic and let things happen according to their due course yes you can always discuss about testing options with your doctors there is nothing wrong in that. But currently more improtant is to get the gas out of his system.
I hope this answered your question, if you have more feel free to ask,otherwise close the discussion and rate it.
Regards.
Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.
General and Family Physician..
Currently getting rid of the gas is most important.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to HealthCareMagic, I am Dr Muhammd Ahmad, I have closely read your question and I understand your concerns, I will hereby guide you regarding your health related problem.
Brain and heart are automatically tested when a patient is treated in emergency a doctor checks brain signs during first interaction to see if it is fine. And usually EKG is immediately done and this rules out most of heart conditions. Blood pressures pulse rate also tell about heart condition so usually heart and brain testing are not indicated in all patients of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Yes if he doesn't get better or a doctor finds any heart or brain signs showing any problems he will get brain and heart specific tests done. If he was found to have 20% levels days later, it means levels would have been much higher when he was exposed. Carbon monoxide binds to blood very very strongly so high flow oxygen is given to break that bond, as this happens patient improves drastically.
I would suggest you not to panic and let things happen according to their due course yes you can always discuss about testing options with your doctors there is nothing wrong in that. But currently more improtant is to get the gas out of his system.
I hope this answered your question, if you have more feel free to ask,otherwise close the discussion and rate it.
Regards.
Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.
General and Family Physician..
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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