Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause long-term brain damage. This happens because the gas stops oxygen from reaching the brain properly, leading to cell injury that may not fully heal.
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless and odorless gas from sources like faulty heaters or car exhaust. When breathed in, it binds to hemoglobin in the blood stronger than oxygen does. This blocks oxygen delivery to organs, especially the brain, which needs a steady supply to work right.
In mild cases, people feel headaches, dizziness, nausea, or confusion. These signs often mimic the flu, so many miss them at first. Severe poisoning brings seizures, coma, or even death if not treated fast.
The real danger shows up later. Even after breathing fresh air, some face delayed problems days or weeks on. These include memory loss, trouble focusing, personality shifts, mood changes, sleep issues, and movement problems like poor balance or tremors. Brain scans might show swelling, shrinking tissue, or damage to key areas like the basal ganglia.
Why does this last? CO sparks oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death in the brain. It harms mitochondria, the power plants inside cells, causing ongoing fatigue and brain fog. Chronic low-level exposure over time builds similar risks, with sneaky symptoms like poor concentration or hearing loss.
Kids and fetuses face higher odds of lasting harm, including developmental delays. Those with heart issues or anemia suffer more too.
Quick action helps. Get to fresh air, call for help, and use pure oxygen. In hospitals, hyperbaric oxygen therapy pushes extra oxygen into the blood to fight CO effects and aid healing. Still, some damage sticks around, stressing the need for detectors and safe vents.
Sources:
https://litfl.com/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/
https://www.akwellnesslounge.com/blog/carbon-monoxide-exposure-amp-the-emerging-role-of-methylene-blue-in-recovery
https://www.rozeklaw.com/carbon-monoxide-attorney.html
https://www.ummhealth.org/health-library/carbon-monoxide-poisoning
https://fieldsfamilychiro.com/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-anoxic-brain-injury/
https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-symptoms-prevention
