Oh, does it feel like you're suffocating? Let's find out exactly what (Asphyxiation) is!

Sometimes it suddenly becomes difficult to breathe, right? Or have you ever seen someone struggling with suffocation? This is really a very scary and dangerous thing. Today we are going to talk about that suffocation, or the medical term `(Asphyxiation)`. If we understand this correctly, we can even save a life.

What is `(Asphyxiation)`? Simply put...

Simply put, `(Asphyxiation)` means that your body does not get enough oxygen. This has a major impact on the breathing process. Sometimes it can even lead to unconsciousness. In the worst cases, even death can occur. Some call it `(asphyxia)`, others call it `(suffocation)`. They all mean the same thing.

What are the main types of `(Asphyxiation)`?

There are different types of asphyxiation. Let's look at the main ones.

`(Mechanical asphyxia)` - Mechanical asphyxia

This is when you can't breathe because of a physical object or a body position. Think of it like someone choking you, or a small child getting a toy stuck in their throat, etc. Sometimes when we misplace our position, for example, a small baby turns over and can't turn over and gets their nose and mouth stuck in the pillow, that also falls into this category.

Traumatic asphyxia - suffocation caused by an accident

This is also a part of ``mechanical asphyxia''. What happens here is that your chest, that is, the ``thoracic cavity'' surrounded by the rib cage, muscles, tissues, and skin, is suffocated due to a large force (``trauma'') coming from outside. Imagine that your chest is squeezed hard in a major accident. Then, blood from the heart is pushed backward through the veins to the neck and brain.

Perinatal asphyxia

This is something related to our little babies. This condition occurs when the baby does not get the required amount of oxygen shortly before, during, or immediately after birth. This is something to be very careful about.

`(Compressive asphyxia)` - suffocation due to compression

This is also a type of ``mechanical asphyxia''. This happens when a large external force compresses your chest or abdomen. For example, if you are squeezed in a crowded place (think of a concert), or if someone sits on your chest or kneels on your chest.

How common is this condition called ``Asphyxiation''?

This is actually more common than you might think. For example, in the United States alone, nearly 19,000 people died from suffocation in 2016.

Also, from 2018 to 2019, suffocation was the leading cause of accidental deaths in children under one year old. Therefore, parents with young children should be very careful about this.

How does Asphyxia affect my body?

This condition (Asphyxia) can affect your body in various ways.

Foreign object blockage

Imagine that something is blocking your airway. Then your body builds up carbon dioxide. We also call this hypercapnia. At the same time, oxygen is not getting to the body's tissues (hypoxia).

Then the body tries to breathe again. It can be a little scary to see. You may see things like eyes getting bigger, skin changing color, hands grabbing your neck, and coughing slowly.

Your blood pressure and heart rate suddenly increase. Your blood pH drops. Your body releases hormones called catecholamines. These catecholamines are hormones that are important in the body's 'fight-or-flight response'.

Eventually, your blood pressure drops and your heart rate slows down.

If the blockage is not removed at this point, or if someone doesn't treat it quickly, the heart can stop (cardiac arrest) within four to five minutes. This is very dangerous.

Drowning

In about 10% of drownings, your vocal cords suddenly stop working when the water first enters your throat. This is called a ``laryngospasm.'' Then you die from ``asphyxiation,'' even though there is no water in your lungs.

In the other 90% of cases, the muscles in the gap between your vocal cords (the `glottis`) relax, causing your lungs to fill with water.

Your body absorbs fresh water quickly. The fresh water dilutes the `plasma` in your blood and causes the `red blood cells` to break down (`hemolysis`).

Salt water draws fluid from your circulatory system into your lungs, reducing the amount of plasma in your blood.

What are the symptoms of shortness of breath?

There are several symptoms that appear in this ``Asphyxiation`` condition:

• Difficulty breathing (dyspnea). Some people feel like they are suffocating.
• Rapid or deep breathing (hyperventilation).
• Loss of consciousness.
• Cough.
• Hoarseness or change in voice.
• Inability to speak.
• Change in color of the face or lips (may become red, purple, blue or gray).
• Difficulty swallowing or inability to swallow.
• Memory loss.
• Involuntary urination or defecation without realizing it.
• Dizziness.
• Headaches.

What are the causes of `(Asphyxia)`?

There can be many reasons for this shortness of breath. Let's look at a few of them:

• Anaphylaxis: This is a severe allergic reaction. It is often caused by foods. It can also cause severe symptoms such as vomiting, swelling of the limbs and face (especially the lips).
• Asthma: This is a chronic lung disease. It can be aggravated by things like air pollution, exercise, pet dander, and tobacco smoke.
• `(Positional asphyxiation)` - Positional asphyxiation: This is when your breathing is blocked by the position of your body. This often happens to newborns or young children who are not strong enough to turn their bodies. For example, this can happen if a baby is sleeping face down and their nose and mouth are stuck in the mattress and they can't turn over.
• Chemical asphyxiation: This occurs when a chemical you breathe in displaces oxygen from your lungs and fills them with oxygen. Oxygen is then unable to reach other parts of your body. Chemicals such as carbon monoxide, cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, and some chemicals found in household cleaning products can cause this.
• Overdose of opioids: Opioids are chemicals that work with nerve cells to reduce pain. If you take too much of them, your breathing can slow down and eventually stop.
• Drowning: This is suffocation caused by submersion in a liquid, usually water.
• Foreign object blockage / obstruction: A foreign object blocks the airway. This can happen when food is not swallowed properly, or when vomit becomes stuck in the throat after drinking too much alcohol (alcohol poisoning).
• Strangulation: Blocking the airway by wrapping a hand, rope, cord, or other object around the neck.

How to recognize `(Asphyxiation)`?

This choking is a ``medical emergency`` that requires immediate treatment . If you are around a young child or an adult who suddenly has trouble breathing, ask them if they are ``choking.`` If they cannot answer, look for these signs:

• Holding the neck (this is the universal sign used to say that you are stuck).
• Coughing slowly and weakly.
• Making a whistling sound when breathing (`wheezing`).
• Inability to speak.
• Loss of consciousness.

If a baby is having trouble breathing, watch for changes in their behavior. For example, difficulty breathing, weak crying, or very slow coughing.

Is it okay to give something to drink to someone who can't breathe?

No, it's not good at all. If you give something to drink to someone who is having difficulty breathing, it can further block the airway.

What tests are used to diagnose `(Asphyxia)`?

If something is stuck in your airway, your doctor may use X-rays or a bronchoscopy to locate the blockage and remove it.

How is `(Asphyxia)` treated?

Treatment depends on the cause of the shortness of breath. Treatment options include:

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): Giving chest compressions helps maintain blood flow to vital organs until the heart starts beating again. This is a very important first aid.
• Heimlich maneuver: Abdominal thrusts help dislodge objects from the airway. This is especially useful when something, such as food, is stuck in the airway.
• Medications: Depending on the cause of the shortness of breath, certain medications may be used. For example, an inhaler for asthma, epinephrine (EpiPen®) for allergies, or naloxone (Narcan®) for opioid overdose.
• Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation: This helps stimulate breathing. It can be done for people who have drowned or who have difficulty breathing after taking too many opioids.
• Oxygen therapy: Oxygen is delivered to the body through a breathing tube, oxygen mask, nose tube, or ventilator.

How to prevent `(Asphyxiation)`?

The best way to prevent this type of suffocation is to be careful . If someone in your area is having difficulty breathing, call 1990 (Sri Lanka's emergency ambulance service) immediately.

• When eating, chew your food slowly and only talk after swallowing. Watch your children closely while they eat. Encourage them to eat with small mouthfuls and tell them not to talk until they have swallowed their food.
• If you have food allergies, always carry an EpiPen. Check the ingredients label on everything you eat.
• When swimming in the water, go with at least one other person. If you can't swim, wear a life jacket.
• If you are at risk of having an asthma attack, always keep an inhaler nearby.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Have appliances that use fuel such as wood or gas (e.g., stoves, water heaters, furnaces) inspected by a trained technician once a year.

What happens if `(Asphyxia)` occurs?

If the cause of shortness of breath is treated immediately, recovery is often more likely.

However, if asphyxiation is not treated quickly, it can have long-term or permanent effects, such as stroke, brain injury, or death. Therefore, it is very important to take quick action.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

If you have ever had an experience like this, or if you want to know more about it, you can ask your doctor these things:

• What should I do if someone is not breathing?
• Will I have any long-term or permanent health effects from not being able to breathe?
• Do I have food allergies? Should I see an allergist?
• What should I do to protect myself from this `(asphyxia)` condition in the future?

Finally, something to remember! (Take-Home Message)

Asphyxiation is a very scary condition where oxygen is cut off from the body. If you or someone you are with is showing signs of suffocation, it can be scary. However, it is important to stay as calm as possible. Be aware of signs of difficulty breathing, especially if your hands are clutching your neck. Call 911 immediately and follow their instructions. The sooner you treat the cause of the suffocation, the better your chances of avoiding long-term or permanent health problems. Your awareness and quick action could help save a life!

` Asphyxiation, oxygen, breathing, first aid, emergency, suffocation, choking, drowning, carbon monoxide, CPR, Heimlich maneuver