Carbon monoxide poisoning
Long term symptoms and effects (part 1)
The underlying reason for long term symptoms and effects from carbon monoxide poisoning is damage at a cellular
level. Some cells are more sensitive to oxygen deprivation and toxicity - which are characteristics of CO
poisoning.
The brain, heart, nervous system, endocrine (regulatory) system, organs, and cells can all be affected, directly and indirectly. More on
the science behind carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide poisoning effects people in different ways and some people are at higher risk of suffering
from ongoing long term effects.
It is estimated that 50% of those with serious one-time poisoning will suffer from long term effects. An unknown
percentage of people with multiple low level poisonings will suffer from long term effects.
However, carbon monoxide poisoning statistics are not
accurate. There are no comprehensive long term studies on the ongoing effects and real life impact of carbon
monoxide poisoning. If you are aware of such a study please contact us.
Long term symptoms and effects include a continuation of physical, mental, emotional and behavioral, and
social effects with a tendency to [slow]
improvement over time. However, a meaningful percentage of survivors that experience long term effects say they
feel they have never fully recovered. The percentage is unknown.
Subtle but never-the-less significant impacts on physical, mental, behavioral,
relationships, work and career, and home life are common
even years after recovery from major symptoms.
While a survivor may look "normal", sound "normal", appear "normal", they may well function at a diminished
level in comparison to their pre-poisoning life. This may not be immediately obvious to a survivor or the people
around them. However, over time the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning may significantly alter the direction of a
survivor's life and the lives of those around them.
Because carbon monoxide poisoning deprives all cells in the brain of oxygen and poisons them, it has
the ability to damage, injure, and affect virtually any aspect of brain functioning.
Poisoning can have a significant long term impact even though the
survivor and those close to them may never fully understand that CO poisoning was the cause.
Continue onto Long term
symptoms and effects (part 2)
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poisoning long term symptoms and effects (part 1)
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