Asfyksiaatio

Asfyksiaatio, or asphyxiation, is a condition in which the body does not receive enough oxygen because air cannot reach the lungs or the body's tissues cannot use the oxygen that is inhaled. If oxygen delivery is severely impaired, brain and organ function can deteriorate rapidly, potentially leading to loss of consciousness, permanent injury, or death. Asphyxiation can result from a variety of mechanisms that reduce or block oxygen intake, including airway obstruction, external compression of the chest or neck, exposure to toxic gases, or immersion in water.

Common types and causes include suffocation from airway obstruction by a foreign body or by bedding or other material, strangulation or positional asphyxia where body position restricts breathing, drowning, and chemical asphyxiants such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, or cyanide. Less frequent contexts involve entrapment or crowding, where restricted ventilation and stress amplify the risk.

Signs and symptoms typically progress from shortness of breath, rapid or irregular breathing, and anxiety to confusion, cyanosis, loss of consciousness, or seizures as oxygen levels fall. Risk factors include infancy and old age, sleep-related or positional factors, intoxication, trauma, or confinement in poorly ventilated spaces.

Prevention focuses on reducing exposure to airway obstruction and toxic environments, safe sleep practices for infants, supervision of children, proper ventilation, and awareness of hazards in confined or crowded spaces.

First aid and treatment emphasize prompt action: call emergency services, assess breathing and responsiveness, and provide appropriate airway clearance for conscious individuals who are choking. If unresponsive, begin CPR and follow local guidelines. Move the person to fresh air if exposure to gases is suspected, and seek immediate medical care for suspected chemical asphyxiants. In medical settings, treatment may include airway management, supplemental oxygen, and addressing the underlying cause.