First Aid & Emergencies

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Other Treatment

Oxygen therapy is the standard treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning. The purpose of oxygen therapy is to bring the oxygen level in the blood back to normal. Oxygen therapy replaces the carbon monoxide in the blood with oxygen.

Other Treatment Choices

Two types of oxygen therapy are used:

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100% oxygen therapy. 100% oxygen therapy is the most common treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning. For 100% oxygen therapy, you breathe pure oxygen through a tight-fitting mask or, in some cases, with the assistance of mechanical ventilation (a tube down your windpipe). Oxygen therapy reduces the amount of carbon monoxide in the blood. Usually there are no risks with the short-term use of 100% oxygen therapy. But people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have trouble breathing if they are given too much oxygen.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves being enclosed in a full-body chamber while pure oxygen is pumped in under high pressure. This helps reduce carbon monoxide levels in the blood quickly and restores the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood to normal. Hyperbaric chambers deliver oxygen at higher pressures than is otherwise possible. This treatment is used in moderate to severe cases of poisoning because it usually works faster than 100% oxygen therapy. One study concluded that three hyperbaric oxygen treatments within a 24-hour period may reduce the risk of cognitive problems, such as lasting damage to memory, attention, and concentration.⁵

The decision about whether to use hyperbaric oxygen therapy is made on a case-by-case basis, depending on the person and on how bad the carbon monoxide poisoning is. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used most often to treat severe cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, including people who are or have been unconscious because of carbon monoxide poisoning, people who have severe symptoms such as confusion, and pregnant women who have had significant exposure to carbon monoxide.

What To Think About

Treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning should be started as soon as possible and not be delayed while testing is done.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy requires special equipment and may not always be available in your area. But in severe cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, it may reduce your risk of having long-term complications. Your local emergency department will know whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy is available in your area.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: March 18, 2008

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.