In this article, we will discuss various Causes of Asphyxia. So, let’s get started
Asphyxia refers to an airway obstruction leading to less or non-delivery of atmospheric oxygen to the lungs resulting in carbon-di-oxide retention. Asphyxia can be caused due to mechanical or non-mechanical obstructions.
Causes
Mechanical causes
Covering of face (e.g. plastic bag)
Gag or pad smothering (closing of the external respiratory orifice by hand or by other means)
Gagging
Food or foreign body obstruction (choking)
Throttling (compression of the neck manually)
Hanging or strangulation
Drowning
Traumatic asphyxia
Non-mechanical causes
Diseases such as Diptheria, infectious mononucleosis, H.influenzae
Rupture of aortic aneurysm in air passages
Hemoptysis in pulmonary tuberculosis
Erosion of bronchus by a tubercular gland
Laryngeal edema because of steam inhalation, ingestion of irritant substances, drug allergies, and poisons
Retropharyngeal edema
Laryngeal or bronchial outgrowths
Non-penetrating injury to the front of the neck