Many cases of natural gas poisoning occur due to prolonged bathing sessions in unventilated bathrooms. It is crucial to correct these erroneous practices. In case of natural gas poisoning, immediate medical attention is required. Typically, patients experiencing natural gas poisoning may exhibit symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shock, and fainting. If someone faints in the bathroom while bathing and family members fail to notice promptly, it may lead to fatal poisoning.

Differences in Poisoning Symptoms

The severity of gas poisoning symptoms varies depending on the concentration of inhaled carbon monoxide, duration of exposure, as well as factors such as age, gender, and physical condition. Generally, higher concentrations of carbon monoxide in the air and longer inhalation durations result in a higher quantity of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood. This leads to earlier and more severe manifestations of poisoning symptoms, often resulting in serious adverse outcomes.

Mild Poisoning Symptoms

When the inhaled carbon monoxide is relatively low, and the total carboxyhemoglobin level in the blood reaches approximately 10-20%, symptoms such as dizziness, headache, palpitations, vomiting, and fatigue may occur. Prolonged exposure to such an environment may even lead to brief fainting spells. If these patients can immediately leave the contaminated environment and breathe fresh air, the symptoms usually disappear within 1-2 hours, posing minimal harm to the body and often without any lasting effects.

Moderate Poisoning Symptoms

Moderate poisoning symptoms occur when the carboxyhemoglobin content in the blood reaches 30%-40%. These symptoms are exacerbated versions of the mild poisoning symptoms and include agitation, coma, and a cherry-red appearance of the skin and mucous membranes (particularly the lips, cheeks, and chest). Additional symptoms may include excessive sweating, increased heart rate, initially elevated blood pressure followed by a decrease, and more.

Severe Poisoning Symptoms

Exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide for a short duration or continuous inhalation for an extended period can lead to severe poisoning symptoms when the carboxyhemoglobin concentration in the blood exceeds 50%. These symptoms include deep coma, loss of physiological reflexes, incontinence, cold extremities, sweating, rapid or tidal breathing, decreased blood pressure, and ultimately, cessation of heartbeat and respiration. The longer the duration of coma, the poorer the prognosis, and it can even lead to death.