Carbon monoxide poisoning and brain injury/trauma

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause cellular injury/trauma throughout the brain and body. It deprives all cells of oxygen and has a toxic effect.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause physical brain injury/trauma

Physical brain injuries are typically caused by physical impacts. However, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause physical injury from cellular destruction/damage caused by oxygen deprivation.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause toxic brain injury/trauma

Toxic brain injury/trauma can be caused by exposure to any number of neurotoxins including heavy metals, pesticides, solvents and fuels, chemicals in the work place, heavy smoking, heavy drinking, heavy drug use, or the toxic effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause emotional brain injury/trauma

Emotional injury/trauma can be caused when a person perceives they have little or no control over what is happening to them.

• Acute emotional injury/trauma can be caused by any event that has a strong one-time emotional impact such as being a victim of a crime, the death of a loved one, or being in an accident. A carbon monoxide poisoning accident often violates a survivor in what is supposed to be a safe environment: their home, vehicle, work, camper, etc. The survivor did not see it coming and had no control over what was happening.
  
  
• Chronic emotional injury/trauma can be caused by ongoing stress such as living under constant financial stress, being in an abusive relationship, or even living with partner that has a brain injury. After poisoning a survivor could face high levels of ongoing stress due to major life changes.

The carbon monoxide poisoning triple whammy effect

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause a "triple whammy effect" of physical, toxic, and emotional injury/trauma all at the same time. Any of which can impact brain functioning and the physical, mental, emotional and behavioral, and social aspects of a survivors life.

All forms of brain injury/trauma can alter brain functioning

Brain injury/trauma can cause parts of the brain to "lock" or easily be "triggered" into a fight, flight, or freeze response which then affects behavior in many ways ranging from subtle to extreme.

Brain injury/trauma can cause the brain to get stuck into or easily switch into a "hypervigilant" state, meaning the brain locks into a state of trying to be ready for what may be coming next. This can cause the brain (and therefore the person) to be easily triggered, reactive, and unstable.

The brain is unable to be "hypervigilant" all the time. This can result in a range of problems including difficulty concentrating, impaired memory, emotional outbursts, slowed thinking, depression, exhaustion, and other effects.

This can disrupt sleep rhythms and the ability to sleep properly which then further negatively impacts health and the life of the survivor.

Also see:
Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?
The science behind carbon monoxide poisoning
The effects of carbon monoxide poisoning
How symptoms and effects can show themselves after poisoning

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Sarah from New Mexico

This page spoke to me because its exactly what had been going on in my life since I got gassed.

CO has completely messed up my life

Monica from Colorado

I was exposed to both acute and chronic CO poisoning from a faulty home heater.

My memory is now impaired as are my spatial abilities and my executive function plus more. I have lost sense of time and cannot finish tasks in a reasonable manner.

Emotionally, I have symptoms similiar to someone suffering from PTSD. I cannot sleep without prescribed sleep aids and I suffer from major depression.

I share many symptoms with those who have chronic fatigue syndrome.

I was once a high functioning professional, but now am forced onto disability.

I urge anyone who reads this to get a CO detector and make sure its functioning correctly. Don't go through what I have!

Life has been a living hell

Jamie from OZ

This page rang true and really hit me right between the eyes. Finally something that seems to be a good explanation.

My life has been a living hell for a bunch of reasons since I was poisoned.

I've been having a hell of a time functioning. I'm tired almost all the time. Can't think straight. Lost my job. Lost my girlfriend. Moved to a tiny apartment that I can barely afford. My moods are all over the map. Not one doctor I have seen can tell me a damn thing about what's going on.

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