Asphyxia| Asphyxiation| Respiratory system

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                                                Asphyxia

 This article discusses asphaxia. Here, learn about the causes, stages, and more.

Keywords:

Hypoxia| hypercapnia| anoxia|larygospasm| asthma|sympathetic | parasympathetic |dyspneic|cyanosis|respiratory system

Table of contents

1.	Introduction
2.	Causes
3.	Stages
4.	Treatment
5.	Prognosis

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Definition of Asphyxia

Asphyxia or asphyxiation is a condition caused when the body's tissues and organs receive an inadequate amount of oxygen. This leads to hypoxia and hypercapnia, and in severe cases, tissues do not receive oxygen at all.

Asphyxia derives from Ancient Greek (a=without, and sphyxis=squeez), meaning pulseless.

Asphyxia is caused by interference with respiration, leading to a lack of oxygen at tissue levels. If a person is unable to breathe for a sufficient time, asphyxia will occur. Tissues lack oxygen and retain carbon dioxide, which may cause convulsions, coma, and death.

Asphyxia causes central hypoxia and hypercapnia. Some cells, such as brain cells, are susceptible to a lack of oxygen and die rapidly. Asphyxia can cause irreversible damage to organs.

When cells and tissues of the body receive inadequate or no oxygen, this leads to hypoxia/anoxia and hypercapnia. In severe form, tissues do not receive oxygen at all.

Causes of Asphyxia:

Myriad causes may cause asphyxia.

Mechanical obstruction of the airway is the most common cause of asphyxia. Examples of mechanical obstructions are suffocation, hanging, strangulation, drowning, and foreign body impaction in the trachea or larynx, traumatic compression of the face, neck, and chest.

Other causes are

1. Contraction of airways, as in asthma and laryngospasm, due to irritant gases or fumes.

2. Oxygen is unavailable underwater, drowning, vacuum, and overcrowding in a closed space.

3. Drug overdose,

4. Poisoning -for example, in cyanide poisoning.

5. Acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Stages of Asphyxia

1. Stage of apnea: The initial cessation of respiration causes hypoxia and hypercapnia, potent respiration stimulants. Therefore, try to start breathing again.

Duration -1 minute.

2. Stage of exaggerated breathing: Hypoxia and hypercapnia stimulate the respiratory centers and cause rapid and deep breathing. A person becomes severely dyspneic, and cyanosis develops. The second stage will pass into the third stage. Duration: 1 to 2 minutes.

3. Stage of convulsion: Generalized muscular activity starts to remove the obstruction or compression. Respiratory efforts become violent. The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are stimulated, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Duration: 1 to 2 minutes.

4. Stage of collapse: The brain can not tolerate hypoxia for 3 to 5 minutes, and vital centers stop working; cardiorespiratory centers' activities stop. The patient will succumb to the injury.

Treatment
Remove the cause as soon as possible

Artificial respiration.

Prognosis

Depends on the cause and prompt treatment.

As a whole, the prognosis is terrible.

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