respiratory health

Asphyxia - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Asphyxia is a state characterized by difficulty or inability to breathe. This situation causes anoxia, that is an interruption of the oxygen supply to the organs and tissues; therefore, in the absence of timely intervention, asphyxia can quickly lead to loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest.

The symptoms associated with asphyxia occur quickly with forced inhalation and "air hunger" in an attempt to escape the impediment of breathing; there are also agitation, cyanosis in the face, conjunctival and cutaneous petechiae, sweating and convulsions.

Asphyxia can be the consequence of respiratory failure (acute or chronic) of any kind. This manifestation can result, in particular, from strangulation, drowning, hanging, obstruction of the respiratory tract and accidental compression of the thoracic cage or abdomen.

Asphyxia can be found in the presence of tumors, pulmonary edema and toxic or traumatic paralysis of respiratory centers (cerebral haemorrhage) and respiratory muscles (eg tetanus, rabies and strychnine poisoning).

The impediment to respiratory mechanics can also derive from the inhalation of a foreign body or from the narrowing of the airways due to severe asthma attacks or acute allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), with spasm and edema of the glottis.

Furthermore, asphyxia can be caused by staying in an environment with too low a oxygen concentration or a reaction to the inhalation of toxic gases and vapors (carbon monoxide, fumes from a fire, etc.).

Possible Causes * of Asphyxia

  • Respiratory allergies
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Asthma
  • Bronchitis
  • croup
  • Pulmonary edema
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Cerebral hemorrhage
  • Fetal erythroblastosis
  • Progressive Oxygenating Fibrodysplasia
  • Stroke
  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Respiratory failure
  • Carbon monoxide intoxication
  • Pneumonia
  • Anger
  • Prader-Willi syndrome
  • Tetanus
  • Lung cancer