Can you lose your memory from carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is poisonous when inhaled. Incomplete combustion produces the gas, and there are many situations where you could be exposed to it in your own home. For example, inefficient gas stoves, fireplaces, heaters, and other appliances can emit carbon monoxide without you noticing. Also, because engines that are left to warm up in the garage and emit invisible gases could put you at risk of gas poisoning.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is actually very common. Some people may not realize it, but they may have been exposed to the gas at one time or another. The danger posed by carbon monoxide varies in severity depending on how long a person has been exposed and the amount of gas inhaled. At worst, it could lead to death.

Can you lose your memory from carbon monoxide poisoning? Yes, memory loss is a commonly observed effect of gas exposure. In fact, any degree of carbon monoxide poisoning can cause brain damage. Particularly susceptible is the region called the hippocampus, which is responsible for transferring new information to the part of the brain that stores long-term memory.

This is what happens, to be more specific. Carbon monoxide attaches to hemoglobin in the blood, which is responsible for carrying oxygen to the brain. Carbon monoxide displaces oxygen, leading to anoxia, the condition in which the body and, more importantly, the brain are starved of oxygen. Getting fresh air to replenish oxygen is therefore the best first aid you can do after carbon monoxide exposure.

Carbon monoxide also kills brain cells and neurons, as it causes a chemical reaction in the cells that can lead to ongoing damage long after exposure. Such atrophy can be observed using magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.

So, can you lose your memory from carbon monoxide poisoning? Yes, in fact, between a quarter and a half of carbon monoxide victims have shown cognitive impairments, including memory loss, such as what is classified as anterograde amnesia or short-term memory loss. It is when the person is no longer able to store new memories, and therefore it is very difficult for him to remember new acquaintances or learn new things.

The amount of physical damage to the brain’s hippocampus appears to correspond directly to the degree of memory loss or impairment. Although long-term memory is less commonly affected, memory loss caused by carbon monoxide exposure can affect a victim’s daily activities and can last a person’s lifetime. Some even lose the ability to do normal things on their own due to very unreliable memory.

Since this type of gas cannot be detected by the senses, getting a carbon monoxide detector is a good way to monitor its levels inside your home. It’s also relatively difficult to recognize carbon monoxide poisoning based on your symptoms, and you can actually mistake it for the flu. However, symptoms to watch out for include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and a feeling of lethargy.