Choking

For choking meaning compression of the neck, see Strangling. For other usage of choking, see choke.

Choking is the obstruction of the flow of air from the environment into the lungs. Choking prevents breathing, and can be partial or complete, where partial choking indicates that there is some, although inadequate flow of air into the lungs. Prolonged or complete choking results in asphyxiation. Choking can be caused by:

Introduction of a foreign object into the airway, usually involving the pharynx, larynx or trachea.
Respiratory diseases that involve obstruction of the airway.
Compression of the laryngopharynx, larynx or trachea in strangles.
Smothering in cases of violence or accidents.

Foreign objects

Foreign objects obstructing the airway are a typical cause of choking. The situation can sometimes be relieved by strikes to the back while the person choking is leaning forward, or by abdominal thrusts (commonly known as the Heimlich Manoeuvre). Failure to cough up the object will, depending on the degree of choking, rapidly result in unconsciousness and cardiac arrest. The advanced medical procedure to remove such objects is inspection of the airway with a laryngoscope or bronchoscope, and removal of the object under direct vision, followed by CPR. Severe cases where there is an inability to remove the object may require cricothyrotomy.

References

Emedicinehealth. [Choking]. www.emedicinehealth.com. URL last accessed March 6 2005.
UK Resuscitation Council. [Adult Basic Life Support]. www.resus.org. URL last accessed February 28 2005.

External links

[Choking]. (PDF Format). Contains further information on preventing choking in small children.
[Choking]. Contains information on procedures to alleviate choking in different cases.

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