Mechanical asphyxia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Introduction
Mechanical asphyxia is a serious medical condition that occurs as a result of a mechanical obstruction to normal breathing. This may include obstruction of the airways and airways, as well as compression of the neck, chest and abdomen. Mechanical asphyxia is a potentially dangerous condition that requires immediate medical intervention. In this article we will look at the causes, symptoms and methods of treating mechanical asphyxia.
Causes of mechanical asphyxia
Mechanical asphyxia can be caused by various reasons that lead to a mechanical obstruction to breathing. Here are some of the most common reasons:
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Airway obstruction: This can occur due to the nose or mouth becoming blocked by objects such as food, toys, or other small objects. Also, allergic reactions, swelling of the larynx or foreign bodies can cause obstruction of the respiratory openings.
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Neck Compression: If severe pressure is placed on the neck, such as from a car accident or violent choking, it can cause the airway to narrow or completely close.
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Compression of the chest and abdomen: Injury, compression, or compression of the chest and abdomen can interfere with the normal movement of the diaphragm and cause breathing problems.
Symptoms of mechanical asphyxia
Symptoms of mechanical asphyxia can be varied and depend on the degree and location of the obstruction to breathing. However, some common symptoms include:
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Difficulty breathing or no breathing at all.
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Blueness of the skin, especially around the lips and nails (cyanosis).
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Rapid or unbalanced heart activity.
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Loss of consciousness or decreased level of consciousness.
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Pain or discomfort in the neck, chest or abdomen.
Treatment of mechanical asphyxia
Mechanical asphyxia requires immediate medical intervention to prevent a threat to life. Here are some treatments that may be used:
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Clearing the airway: If the cause of asphyxia is obstruction of the airways, the obstruction must be removed immediately. This can be accomplished using techniques such as mechanical ventilation and clearing the airway by removing foreign objects or using procedures such as Heimlich.
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Restoring breathing: If breathing is completely absent, resuscitation measures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) must be started immediately. This includes performing chest compressions and artificial respiration to maintain circulation and oxygen delivery to the body.
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Relieving Pressure: If asphyxia is caused by compression of the neck, chest or abdomen, immediately release the obstruction or stop the compression. This may require medical procedures or surgery.
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Drug treatment: In some cases, certain medications may be used, for example, to relieve swelling of the larynx or prevent allergic reactions that may cause asphyxia.
Prevention of mechanical asphyxia
It is important to take precautions to prevent mechanical asphyxia. Some recommendations include:
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Keep small objects and toys out of children's reach.
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Teach children how to safely handle food and objects that may pose a choking hazard.
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Learn first aid and CPR techniques so you can be prepared for emergency situations.
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Avoid situations that could put pressure on your neck or chest, such as car accidents or violent acts.
Conclusion
Mechanical asphyxia is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Early recognition of symptoms and rapid response can save lives. It is important to take precautions and be prepared for emergency situations in order to prevent cases of mechanical asphyxia and minimize their consequences.
**Asphyxia** is a lack of oxygen in the blood. However, this definition is too broad and does not reveal the concept of the main causes and mechanisms of development of complete or partial asphyxia, and methods of its treatment. Such terminological discrepancies plague medical science as a whole, especially in cases when we are talking about disorders that are extremely important for human life: often medical terms, one way or another connected with the functioning of the human body, by analogy with technical definitions in everyday life, are filled with professional content and have an appropriate classification. For example, this route is used when using the terms “hemorrhoids” or “phlegmon”. The concept of “asphyxia” is a different matter. Infants are universally diagnosed with asphyxia. At the same time, parents are interested in how this condition can threaten their children, and how to help the child if it occurs. But few of them know that there is still no specific medical definition of this term. The concept of “asphyxia” today in medicine is equated to the concept of “respiratory failure”, which is caused by congenital or acquired pathology of the human respiratory system or injuries affecting the tissues and organs of the respiratory system.
Historically, the first term for asphyxia was the Greek term “apopnea” with the meaning of “breathlessness”, which was later translated and understood as “loss of breath due to excess air”. It is clear that the meaning of such opposing concepts associated with the vital functions of the respiratory system is so complex and diverse that it is not possible to consider them through the prism of highly specialized medical categories