Recreational use of nitrous oxidebetter known as laughing gashas exploded in recent years. According to a Public Health France study carried out in 2022, 4.3% of French people had already consumed nitrous oxide in their lives. A proportion three times higher among young people, since it reaches 13.7% for 18-24 year olds.
Most often inhaled through balloons, this chemical compound quickly becomes addictive and can cause irreversible damage on the nervous system. Since the beginning of the year, the Pierre-Wertheimer hospital in Bronspecialized in neurological and neurosurgical pathologies, has welcomed more than thirty patients, victims of more or less serious effects.
Faced with this public health issue, Civil hospices of Lyon (HCL) have opened the first teleconsultation in France dedicated to consumers of nitrous oxide. Appointments are offered every Tuesday on the four 30-minute slots open from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Laughing gas: detect early to avoid after-effects
Carried by the addictologist Christophe Riou in collaboration with the HCL addictovigilance center and the Pierre-Wertheimer hospital, this teleconsultation is aimed at consumers and their loved ones. Objective : screen abusive uses early. Because acting as soon as possible is essential.
“In excessive doses, nitrous oxide can cause serious and irreversible neurological damage, with paralysis of the limbs. The first symptoms, often tingling in the arms or legs, are perceived as mild. Many people affected do not don't pay attention to them or think it's nothing and when they reach us, it's often too late. With teleconsultation, our goal is to target consumers at the subclinical stage.explains Doctor Riou.
A tele-expertise service on the care of nitrous oxide consumers
If necessary, a consultation in person at the Pierre-Wertheimer hospital could be carried out in order to consider a care pathway : drug treatment, regular monitoring, hospitalization, etc. “Even if nitrous oxide has no replacement treatment, there are solutions to treat withdrawal symptoms. But the best way to avoid serious damage is to stop consumption.”says Doctor Riou.
In addition to teleconsultation, a tele-expertiseaccessible continuously, is set up for healthcare professionals to discuss and transmit patient files from across the country. The HCL thus wants to create a real care sector, to respond to the major problem of entry into the care of abusive consumers of laughing gas.
