Causes of asphyxia and how to prevent it

  

Date Posted: 9/14/2011 12:08:08 PM

Posted By: Wishstar  Membership Level: Gold  Total Points: 7507

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Anything which interferes with the intake and absorption of oxygen produces asphyxia. If the lungs do not receive a sufficient supply of fresh air, important organs, especially the brain are deprived of oxygen. The result is a loss of consciousness, and if the condition continues, heart action will fail, causing death.

The commonest causes of asphyxia are;

1. Those affecting the airway:
a. Fluid or has in the air passages, as in drowning

b. Foreign bodies in the air-passages, such as, potions of food or vomited matter getting into the windpipe

c. Compression of the windpipe, by throttling or hanging

d. Swelling of the tissues within the throat as a result of scalds or stings, or infection

2. Those affecting the respiratory mechanism or controls centres of the brain:

a. Pressure or crushing of the chest

b. Electric shock

c. Some acute infections of the nervous system such as Tetanus and Poliomyelitis

d. Harmful gases, such as coal has, motor exhaust fumes etc

e. Poisons such as morphia and overdose of some common household remedies e.g aspirin

3. Rarefied atmosphere as experienced by mountain climbers, air travelers and divers

Signs and symptoms of asphyxia include;

1. Breathing- rate and depth increase at first, later it can become and frothing may occur from the mouth

2. Congestion of head and neck- resulting in swollen veins, lips and face and dizziness

3. Face, lips, conjunctiva and nail beds of fingers and toes are blue

4. Progressive loss of consciousness

5. Fits may occur

General rules for treatment of asphyxia.

Depending on the cause and prevailing circumstances:

1. Remove the casualty from the cause, or the cause from the casualty

2. Ensure an open airway and adequate air

3. Start respiratory resuscitation at once. This must be continued until natural breathing is restored or until a doctor arrives.

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