Everything you need to know about asphyxiation

SymptomsThe following can be noted as symptoms of asphyxia:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
• A sluggish heart rate
• Hoarseness
• Sore throat
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness
• Nosebleeds
• Visual changes
• Hearing loss

A person suffering from asphyxiation can develop blue lips or a tint of blue on their complexion. This is owing to their blood's low oxygen levels.

TreatmentDepending on individual cases, treatments for asphyxiation can vary. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Basic Life Support (BLS) are common methods of treating asphyxiation. For example:
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Choking: If a victim displays signs of severe airway obstruction, anti-choking methods, such as thrusting, should be performed till the blockage is released. If a victim becomes unconscious, he should simply be laid on the ground for CPR treatment, before reaching out for emergency medical help.
Drowning: Once the victim is retrieved from the water, a rescuer should immediately perform CPR on them for a limited period of time, before the medical emergency professionals come to the rescue. To stop the patient from undergoing hypoxemia, a leading cause for cardiac arrest or death during drowning or choking cases, the rescuer must begin with rescue breaths before moving on to chest compressions (if pulseless).

ConclusionAsphyxia is a kind of breathing difficulty caused by a lack of oxygen in the body. This leads to a reduction in oxygen flow to the brain, which may cause a person to become unconscious or die. Choking, drowning, asthma, or anaphylaxis are all conditions and circumstances that might increase the risk of asphyxia.
At EMCARE, we are on a mission to equip individuals with world-class, high-quality training to respond to various life-threatening conditions, such as asphyxiation. If you’re interested to learn more, you can contact us today.