Is that all there is to a Fire? Acute Smoke Inhalation

Prolonged exposure to unhealthy air can lead to respiratory, vision and large amounts of invisible carbon monoxide, a cellular poison is often present and can be measured in the patients blood as carboxyhemoglobin (COHb).

Pyrolysis – the chemical decomposition of organic materials by heating, e.g., burning carpets, plastics, etc – produce invisible and deadly poisons such as cyanide which can effect and even kill the stricken patient.

California’s wildfires exposed millions of persons to high levels of smoke inhalation. Firefighters, police officers and members of the public spent many hours exposed to the thick smoke. Hundreds were treated for “smoke inhalation problems.” Many of the elderly evacuees were taken to local hospitals with breathing problems.

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE CONSULTED WHENEVER THICK SMOKE IS INHALED FOR MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES OR WHENEVER THE FUMES ARE THOUGHT TO CONTAIN TOXIC SUBSTANCES.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (100% oxygen at 3 ATA) should be administered when carbon monoxide intoxication or cyanide poisoning causes loss of consciousness, altered mental state, cardiovascular dysfunction, pulmonary edema, and sever neurological damage.

OXYGEN UNDER PRESSURE BECOMES AN ANTAGONIST TO THESE CELLULAR TOXINS AND WILL DRIVE THEM FROM THE BODY.

The graph clearly shows that when oxygen is administered in a HBOT chamber (the 300% pyramid), the half life of carboxyhemoglobin drops from over five hours in air to a little more than 20 minutes.

POSSIBLE CASE – Mitchell Thorp

Mitchell Thorp, a wonderful 16 year old boy, has grown up in Carlsbad, California with his mom Beth, his dad Brad, and his 14 year old brother Matthew.

In February 2004, the middle of Mitchell’s seventh grade year, he started experiencing severe headaches. After several attempts with different doctors nothing relieved his pain. Then, in September 2004, as Mitchell was starting his eighth grade year, it became increasingly difficult for him to concentrate.

Mitchell had always been a top student and very disciplined with his studies; but it became apparent the pain was so severe that Mitchell would have to continue his studies at home.

In October 2004, Mitchell was checked into Children’s Hospital for a complete workup. After three days of MRI scans, CT scans, extensive blood workup, and other tests, Mitchell and his parents left the hospital with no answers. The tests all came back negative/normal with no diagnosis made or cause found.

Mitchell was again admitted to San Diego Children’s Hospital in June 2005. And again he underwent MRI’s, lumbar punctures, blood workups, and a very complete series of tests. The neurologists, psychiatrists, hospital physicians, as well as others who were brought into this case, had no answers for what was happening to Mitchell. His appetite was decreasing at an alarming rate. He had lost 35 pounds and was now unable to either feed himself or walk.

In July 2005, shortly after leaving Children’s Hospital, Mitchell was admitted into the UCLA Pain Center. While there, Mitchell’s pain was so intense that the myoclonic seizures became constant and the tremors continuous. Mitchell spent most of his time unconscious because the pain was so severe. The doctor’s diagnosis is heavy metal toxicity coupled with a viral infection, which effects the central nervous system.

The goal now is to remove these metals from his body, so it can be restored to its original function. Mitchell is currently going through a number of therapies to achieve this goal. He has come a long way, but there is a long way to go.

He still cannot walk although he can get himself out of bed and scoot on the ground. He still cannot open his eyes, although it appears that one eye will lift half way. He still cannot speak. It is Mitchell’s hope, and the hope of all those around him that, as these metals are detoxed from his body, all of these functions will return.

NOTES: Since no other family member suffered from heavy metal toxicity, another source had to be found.

One fact that was noted that Mitch played a vigorous game of baseball immediately after the 2003 “Cedars Fire” ravaged San Diego. The smoke and debris was heavy in the air during the game.

This smoke and debris breathed, plus other factors unique to this young person at the time, could have been the “trigger” for his mysterious affliction. Mitch’ was treated a number of times at our San Diego Center and positive changes were noted. However, Mitch’s journey to recovery is continuing.

Join us in supporting the Thorp family as they have accumulated enormous medical expenses in trying to find a cure for their son.

Mitchell’s current and past medical expenses have reached heights far beyond the Thorp’s insurance coverage. Click here to to learn about Mitchell’s progress, where and how you can help.

Now the good news … Our HBOT centers have successfully treated and will treat chronic CO poisoning.

1. “Carbon Monoxide: Identification of Delayed Sequelae and Occult Exposure” – J. Thomas Millington, M.D. Joel Ellenswig, M.D. Karen L Shiltz, PHD Hyperbaric Medicine Today, Volume II, Issue II, April – September 2003, pages 42–45.