The most common causes of home carbon- monoxide poisoning are malfunctioning indoor natural gas heaters and water heaters. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include fatigue, headache and nausea. But since the symptoms are so vague, people often think they have the flu, Keyes says. Pregnant women need to be especially cautious about carbon-monoxide poisoning because the fetus has a lower threshold for carbon monoxide, Keyes says. Carbon-monoxide poisoning can cause permanent brain damage or even be fatal.
Carbon monoxide takes the place of oxygen in the blood, causing cells to suffocate.
The holidays can be particularly hard on older family members, especially when they can't be with their relatives, says Dr. Myron Weiner, vice chairman for clinical services of psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. But there are things we can do to make holidays happier for older family members who are not able to join other family members during that time. Weiner suggests that families write or telephone more often during a holiday season. Smaller children can color or paint and send holiday pictures they've created. A surprise package of small holiday decorations in the mail is a nice touch, or a holiday flower arrangement can be wired.