Q: Until recently, my blood pressure stayed around 135/75. About two weeks ago, my blood pressure suddenly shot up to 188/90. My doctor increased the doses of my blood pressure pills. But my systolic pressure is still around 170. Why would my blood pressure have increased so suddenly when I hadn't really changed anything? Is 170 systolic OK given my diastolic pressure is 80? A: One of the mysteries of blood pressure is that it can rise or fall without any obvious changes in your life.
The level of CO concentration is measured using a system called Parts Per Million (PPM). For example, 100 PPM CO means that for every 999,900 molecules of air, there are 100 molecules of CO. CO effects people differently depending on the concentration.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless deadly gas. Because you can't see, taste, or smell it, carbon monoxide can kill you before you know it's there. Everyone is at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Experts believe, however, that individuals with greater oxygen requirements such as unborn babies, infants, children, senior citizens, and people with coronary or respiratory problems are at greater risk. Why is carbon monoxide so dangerous? The great danger of carbon monoxide is its attraction to hemoglobin in the bloodstream. When breathed in, carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen which cells need to function. When CO is present in the air, it rapidly accumulates in the blood, causing symptoms similar to the flu, such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, confusion, and irritability.