Luftvägsstängning

Luftvägsstängning, known in English as airway obstruction or choking, refers to a blockage in the pharynx, larynx, trachea, or bronchi, preventing the normal passage of air into the lungs. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including foreign objects, swelling due to allergic reactions or infections, trauma, or the tongue falling back into the airway in unconscious individuals.

Symptoms of partial airway obstruction may include noisy breathing, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty speaking. In cases of complete obstruction, the person will be unable to breathe, cough effectively, or speak, and may clutch their throat, turn blue (cyanosis), and lose consciousness.

Immediate recognition and intervention are crucial for survival. For conscious individuals with complete airway obstruction, the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) is the primary first-aid treatment. For infants, back blows and chest thrusts are recommended. If the person becomes unconscious, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be initiated, with a check for the obstructing object before attempting rescue breaths.

Medical professionals may use other methods to clear the airway, such as the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver, suctioning, or the use of airway adjuncts like oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airways. In severe cases, an emergency tracheostomy or cricothyrotomy may be performed to establish an alternative airway. Prompt medical attention is always necessary after an episode of airway obstruction, even if the object is successfully removed.