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Choking, also known as foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO), is a phenomenon that occurs when breathing is impeded by a blockage inside of the respiratory tract. An obstruction that prevents oxygen from entering the lungs results in oxygen deprivation .
The most common complication from a foreign body aspiration is a pulmonary infection, such as pneumonia or a lung abscess. [7] This can be more difficult to overcome in the elderly population and lead to even further complications. Patients may develop inflammation of the airway walls from a foreign body remaining in the airway. [2]
The causes of upper airway obstructions can be acute or chronic. More acute causes of upper airway obstruction include foreign body aspiration, blunt trauma to the neck, infections, and swelling due to allergies or other inflammatory conditions. [3] In children, viral infections such as croup or epiglottitis are frequent causes. [4]
Airway obstruction is commonly caused by the tongue, the airways itself, foreign bodies or materials from the body itself, such as blood or vomit. [ 2 ] Contrary to advanced airway management , basic airway management technique do not rely on the use of invasive medical equipment and can be performed with less training.
Airway obstruction can be caused by the tongue, foreign objects, the tissues of the airway itself, and bodily fluids such as blood and gastric contents . [citation needed] Airway management is commonly divided into two categories: basic and advanced.
A cricothyrotomy (also called cricothyroidotomy) is an incision made through the skin and cricothyroid membrane to establish a patient airway during certain life-threatening situations, such as airway obstruction by a foreign body, angioedema, or massive facial trauma.
In partial obstruction, the patient can usually clear the foreign body with coughing. [21] In complete obstruction, acute intervention is required to remove the foreign body. [21] If foreign body aspiration is suspected, finger sweeping in the mouth is not recommended due to the increased risk of displacing the foreign object further into the ...
For other ages, upper airway obstruction may occur from a foreign body or edema of the pharynx, larynx, or trachea. In cases of decreased or total loss of consciousness, the tongue can lose muscle tone and obstruct the upper airway. [2] Other potential causes of obstruction include tumors of the upper respiratory tract (oral cavity, pharynx ...