A 52-year-old woman in the UK has suffered brain damage after prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide leaking from a faulty boiler. Sue Westwood-Rutledge, from Sale, Cheshire, experienced headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating for three years after moving into a new home, according to The Sun.
Her symptoms worsened, leading to a collapse at home. Initially, doctors diagnosed her with early-onset dementia in her 30s and even suspected cocaine use. However, numerous tests failed to identify the cause of her illness.
The mystery was finally solved during a boiler inspection. A poorly installed boiler was leaking carbon monoxide, poisoning the family for three years.
In an interview with ITV News, Westwood-Rutledge recounted the gas engineer's shock upon discovering the leak and his urgent instruction for the family to leave the house immediately. She expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal, attributing it to their habit of keeping windows open.
Westwood-Rutledge now suffers from vascular dementia, fibromyalgia, and peripheral neuropathy due to the carbon monoxide poisoning. She revealed that a neurosurgeon compared her brain to that of an 80-year-old.
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when the gas is inhaled, causing it to bind with hemoglobin in the blood, preventing oxygen from being transported throughout the body. This can lead to various symptoms, including headache, shortness of breath, and even death.
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