Suffocation

Suffocation is a condition of severe impairment or stoppage of respiration in which the individual cannot get sufficient oxygen from the air. This can occur due to a variety of causes, including drowning, choking, strangulation, and smoke inhalation.

Causes

Suffocation can be caused by a number of different factors, including:

• Drowning: This occurs when water or other liquid fills the lungs, preventing the absorption of oxygen.
• Choking: This happens when a foreign object blocks the airway, preventing air from reaching the lungs.
• Strangulation: This is caused by external pressure on the neck, which compresses the airway and prevents air from reaching the lungs.
• Smoke inhalation: This occurs when smoke from a fire fills the lungs, preventing the absorption of oxygen.

Symptoms

The symptoms of suffocation can vary depending on the cause, but may include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Cyanosis (bluish color of the skin and mucous membranes)
• Loss of consciousness
• Panic or distress
• Gasping for air

Treatment

The treatment for suffocation depends on the cause. In general, the goal is to restore normal breathing as quickly as possible. This may involve:

• Removing any blockage from the airway
• Performing CPR or other resuscitation measures
• Providing supplemental oxygen
• Treating any underlying conditions that may have contributed to the suffocation

Prevention

Prevention of suffocation involves taking steps to avoid the common causes. This may include:

• Supervising children closely to prevent choking or drowning
• Installing smoke detectors and practicing fire safety
• Avoiding situations where strangulation could occur

See also

• Asphyxia
• Hypoxia (medical)
• Respiratory failure

Suffocation Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski