Treatment for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
If you are able to detect carbon monoxide poisoning very quickly and it is a major exposure, the emergency room (ER) can help. However, you must generally receive ER care within 24-48 hours of an exposure to obtain significant relief.
Unfortunately, most carbon monoxide (CO) exposure creeps up on you. Most of the people who contact our office were exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning weeks or months before they started to notice symptoms from the exposure.
The CO molecules once breathed into the body, bond with the hemoglobin in a person’s bloodstream, starving the body’s vital organs of Oxygen. With the blood transporting lower levels of Oxygen throughout the body, brain damage and other severe injuries can quickly occur. The areas of the brain that govern short-term memory, auditory sensation, and cognitive and focusing ability have proven to be particularly vulnerable to the lack of oxygen caused by carbon monoxide exposure.
Although amazing research is being done to discover ways to regenerate brain cells, there is no magic cure for brain damage caused by the oxygen depletion that results from carbon monoxide poisoning. However, great strides have recently been made to help rebuild damaged brain cells.
Loss of Memory and Proper Brain Functioning
People who have CO poisoning injuries often must retrain their mind to handle ordinary daily living tasks. Neurologists, psychotherapists and physical therapists can be instrumental in providing assistance. There is an amazing network of neurologists, psychologists and therapists across the country who work with patients with brain damage, helping them train other areas of the brain to take over the activities of the damaged or dead brain cells can no longer perform.
Neurologists run tests that discover the source of brain functioning problems. They learn what part of the brain has sustained damage and provide helpful diagnostic assistance. For instance, a lack of focus may be attributed to the forebrain, word loss to the left side of the brain, anxiety and other emotional issues to the rear brain. The neurons of these areas of the brain are more likely to be damaged by carbon monoxide molecules which thus interfere with their operation. Neuropsychologists, psychotherapists and other medical experts can provide assistance with the actual training of the brain. Every state has a brain injury association that can be very helpful for anyone suffering from a brain injury. These associations are non-profit organizations that are pleased to offer their help and assistance to anyone affected by a brain injury.
Contact an Attorney
To speak with a lawyer about a carbon monoxide injury, call the Swanson Law Firm today at 310-887-3600, or contact us by e-mail.
