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IHSDiagnosisICD-10
8.1.3Carbon monoxide-induced headache [X47] G44.402  
Previously used terms Warehouse workers' headache

Diagnostic criteria:

  1. Bilateral and/or continuous headache, with quality and intensity that may be related to the severity of carbon monoxide intoxication1, fulfilling criteria C and D
  2. Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO)
  3. Headache develops within 12 hours of exposure
  4. Headache resolves within 72 hours after elimination of carbon monoxide

Note:

  1. Typically: mild headache without gastrointestinal or neurological symptoms with carboxyhaemoglobin levels in the range 10-20%; moderate pulsating headache and irritability with levels of 20-30%; severe headache with nausea, vomiting and blurred vision with levels of 30-40%.

Comments:

With higher carboxyhaemoglobin levels (>40%) headache is not usually a complaint because of changes in consciousness.

There are no good studies of the long-term effects of CO intoxication on headache. Casuistic evidence suggests the possibility of chronic post-intoxication headache.

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