Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Chronic carbon monoxide exposure
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
Chronic carbon monoxide exposure
by Dbran4024, Nov 17, 2005 12:00AM
First I would like to apologize for making a 2nd post in the same 2 weeks, however this info will I believe serve our community well... In my post last week (scroll down the list of questions and look for my name), you, the RN who responded mention something - chronic c02 exposure. Based on what I have researched since, being the usual symptoms are headache, dizziness, and fatigue, the whole list of symptoms match me perfectly.
Currently, I live alone in the attic of a large house and I have a seperate heating and a/c unit from the downstairs. In the small closet where my heater is located, there is a connection to the garage (I know because I smell my brother's cigarette smoke rising up). I do not know if this is relevant, but in hindsight, the symptoms I described began very mildly right after I first moved in here 4 years ago, and became much worse back at the end of April right around the first time I used my (seperate) a/c unit for the first time of the summer season. I live down south, but Im starting to use my heater at nights now and I'm growing of concern for chronic c02. I do have a co2 detector, but I assume that is only for acute exposure levels.
Basically, the question is, is there a way to detect chronic exposure levels? Other then to just move out and see if I improve? What is the general prognosis for someone with my symptoms IF the case is chronic co2 exposure?
Currently, I live alone in the attic of a large house and I have a seperate heating and a/c unit from the downstairs. In the small closet where my heater is located, there is a connection to the garage (I know because I smell my brother's cigarette smoke rising up). I do not know if this is relevant, but in hindsight, the symptoms I described began very mildly right after I first moved in here 4 years ago, and became much worse back at the end of April right around the first time I used my (seperate) a/c unit for the first time of the summer season. I live down south, but Im starting to use my heater at nights now and I'm growing of concern for chronic c02. I do have a co2 detector, but I assume that is only for acute exposure levels.
Basically, the question is, is there a way to detect chronic exposure levels? Other then to just move out and see if I improve? What is the general prognosis for someone with my symptoms IF the case is chronic co2 exposure?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Nov 20, 2005 12:00AM
, Nov 20, 2005 12:00AM
The exposure referred to is CO, for carbon monoxide, not c02. If your CO detector is working, you should be able to obtain a series of values and that would give you the answer. There is a way to obtain a continuous record of exposure levels but that is not necessary. Just getting an accurate reading at times when you are symptomatic would suffice.
Just some clarifications:
CO2 is carbon dioxide.
CO is carbon monoxide (gas containing one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom)
Regards,
Roberto
I wonder how I could convince my local doctor of this - he allready thinks I'm borderline obsessive unfortunately.
You might even want to call your local fire deaprtment (non 911 of course) and ask them if they have an CO detection equipment and if they could come out and check your room.