​Two household dangers you can’t smell

You take your allergy medicine. You treat colds as soon as you get them. You’re lucky enough to never deal with sinusitis. Your sense of smell is in perfect working order, and your nose detects plenty of unpleasant odors. Unfortunately, some of the most dangerous substances are ones you can’t smell. Today, we’d like to discuss two of them and what you can do to protect yourself.

Carbon monoxide

Probably the best-known odorless substance is carbon monoxide, a gas produced by burning gasoline, wood, propane, and other fuels. If there’s too much carbon monoxide in the air, you can inhale it. Carbon monoxide then replaces the oxygen in your red blood cells, preventing that vital substance from reaching your tissues and organs. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to permanent brain damage, heart damage, miscarriage, and even death.

Symptoms include dull headaches, weakness, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision, and a loss of consciousness. Unborn babies, children, older adults, and people with chronic heart disease are particularly susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide poisoning prevention and treatment

You can avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by using fuel-burning devices, such as space heaters and furnaces, in well-ventilated areas. Make sure your chimney is clear if you have a wood-burning fire. Don’t use solvents in closed areas. Open your garage door before starting your car.

Finally, make sure you install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, and make sure they are in proper working condition. If you are staying in AirBnB or hotel, take a portable CO detector with you.

If you or someone you know is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, get them into fresh air immediately. Then, get to the hospital immediately for treatment, where they will provide pure oxygen to replace the carbon monoxide.

Radon

Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas produced when uranium, thorium, and radium break down in the soil, rocks, and water. It can build up in places where ventilation is inadequate, including homes, schools, or workplaces. It often gets into homes through cracks in the foundation.

Radon gas can damage cells in your lungs, which can lead to cancer. Symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, wheezing, shortness of breath, hoarseness, chest pains, and frequent pulmonary infections.

Radon poisoning prevention and treatment

Short- and long-term radon tests are available at most hardware stores and are both inexpensive and easy to use. Once you have your results, you can make appropriate renovations to your home to reduce the amount of radon entering your air.

It is important to see a doctor right away if you experience any lung cancer symptoms.

Keeping your nose healthy

While carbon monoxide and radon are odorless, there are plenty of other dangers you can smell. Ear, nose, and throat appointments are available at CEENTA's practices in North and South Carolina, and our doctors are happy to help ensure your nose is keeping you as healthy as possible.

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. Would you like an appointment with a CEENTA doctor? Call 704-295-3000. You can also schedule an appointment online or through myCEENTAchart.