Choking

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Choking

Choking (/ˈtʃoʊkɪŋ/) is a life-threatening medical emergency characterized by the blockage of air passage into the lungs secondary to the inhalation or ingestion of food or another object.

Etymology

The term "choking" comes from the Old English word 'āceocian', meaning 'to suffocate'.

Definition

Choking is the mechanical obstruction of the flow of air from the environment into the lungs. Choking prevents breathing, and can be partial or complete, with partial choking allowing some, although inadequate, flow of air into the lungs. Prolonged or complete choking results in asphyxia which leads to anoxia and is potentially fatal. Oxygen stored in the blood and lungs can keep a person alive for several minutes after breathing stops.

Causes

Choking is caused by a physical obstruction of the airway, most commonly, a piece of food. The obstruction can also be caused by other objects, vomit, or swelling of the airway tissues. Small children often choke as a result of placing foreign objects into their mouths. Adults can choke from breathing in fumes or eating or drinking too rapidly. Most people also choke at some point in their lives.

Related Terms

  • Asphyxia: A condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death; suffocation.
  • Anoxia: An absence or deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues; severe hypoxia.
  • Heimlich maneuver: An emergency technique for preventing suffocation when a person's airway becomes blocked by a piece of food or other object.
  • Resuscitation: The action or process of reviving someone from unconsciousness or apparent death.

See Also

External links

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