Just a hangover or Carbon Monoxide Poisoning? Know the difference.
If you're suffering from flu-like or hangover symptoms, it might be time to get your gas appliances looked at.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) - What is it?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous, odourless, colourless gas formed by the incomplete burning of natural gases, which can occur because of incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained gas appliances.
Or, if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked. Solid fuels can also produce carbon monoxide when they burn such as; coal, wood, petrol and oil.
CO Poisoning - What are the Physical symptoms?
CO poisoning occurs when there is too much CO in the air and the body starts to replace the oxygen in the blood stream with CO - leading to serious tissue damage and sometimes death.
Long term exposure to CO can result in paralysis, brain damage or death.
Because you cant see, taste or smell CO and some of the symptoms are scarily similar and can mimic the effects of viruses and a bad hangover. It's really important that you know the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning to make sure that you seek help if you recognise any symptoms of poisoning.
CO poisoning symptoms are likened to those of flu, food poisoning, viral infections, fatigue, and a hangover... Making it very easy to mistake this very dangerous poisoning for something else.
Below is a list of the 6 main symptoms, make sure to give them a good read and don't forget them!
The 6 main symptoms to look out for:
Headaches
Nausea
Breathlessness
Collapsing
Loss of consciousness
Dizziness
The main signs of a carbon monoxide leak within your home...
Floppy yellow / orange flame coming from your gas hob rather than crisp blue
Dark sooty staining on or around gas appliances
Pilot lights that frequently blow out
Increased condensation inside windows
If you are noticing any of these signs of carbon monoxide presence in your home, contact a gas safe engineer immediately to inspect your gas appliances and make sure you are outside breathing clean air.
To find an engineer who is qualified to investigate the presence of CO, visit the Check The Register Page on the Gas Safe register linked below. And for more information on Carbon Monoxide (CO), visit some of the links below...
Check the Register - Gas Safe Register
https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer/
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - Gas safe Register
https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/help-and-advice/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/