Engasgo

Engasgo is a term used in Indonesian medical contexts to describe a dangerous condition in which breathing is impaired. It is most commonly associated with choking, where a foreign object blocks the airway, but it can also result from inhaling irritant or toxic gases that reduce the lungs’ ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Causes and mechanisms: Airway obstruction from food or objects, swelling from allergic reactions, trauma or anesthesia, or inhalation of smoke, fumes, or gases such as carbon monoxide. These situations lead to hypoxia (low oxygen) and sometimes hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide).

Signs and symptoms: Sudden coughing or choking, shortness of breath, wheezing, cyanosis (bluish skin), confusion or fainting. In gas inhalation, symptoms may include headache, dizziness, nausea, and loss of consciousness in severe cases.

First aid and treatment: If a person is conscious and coughing, encourage coughing and monitor. If they cannot breathe or speak, call emergency services and perform age-appropriate choking relief maneuvers (for adults and children over 1 year: back blows and abdominal thrusts; for infants under 1 year: alternate back blows and chest thrusts). If the person is unconscious, begin CPR and call for help. For gas inhalation, move the person to fresh air, loosen tight clothing, and seek medical care; oxygen therapy may be required in medical settings.

Prevention: Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and avoid talking with a mouthful of food. Keep small objects out of reach of children. Ensure proper ventilation and gas detectors in homes and workplaces. Seek prompt evaluation for persistent breathing difficulty after an exposure.