“Asphyxiation: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention - Healthline” plus 3 more

“Asphyxiation: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention - Healthline” plus 3 more


Asphyxiation: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention - Healthline

Posted: 01 Jun 2021 09:56 AM PDT

Asphyxiation, also called asphyxia or suffocation, is when the body doesn't get enough oxygen. Without immediate intervention, it can lead to loss of consciousness, brain injury, or death.

The term "asphyxia" is different from "asphyxiated." Asphyxia refers to the condition of oxygen deprivation, while asphyxiated means a person has died due to oxygen deprivation. The latter is used to describe how someone has died.

Asphyxiation is a common cause of injuries that lead to death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suffocation led to 18,924 deaths in 2018.

Read on to learn about the causes of asphyxiation, along with treatments and prevention methods.

There are many possible causes of asphyxiation. Many causes are due to an airway obstruction, inhaling chemicals, or an injury.

Asphyxiation may be caused by:

Drowning

Drowning is when a person can't breathe because they've inhaled water. As a result, their body is unable to deliver oxygen to their tissues and organs.

In many cases, drowning happens quickly. Individuals who have a high risk of drowning include:

  • children younger than 5 years old
  • teenagers
  • older people

Chemical asphyxia

Chemical asphyxia involves inhaling a substance that cuts off the body's oxygen supply. The substance may replace oxygen in the lungs or disrupt oxygen delivery in the blood.

A chemical that causes asphyxia is called an asphyxiant. One example is carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless gas that's found in smoke. Breathing in large amounts of carbon monoxide can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Chemical asphyxia may also occur if you use inhalants. These substances are often found in common household products, and they have chemical fumes that cause psychoactive effects when inhaled. In high amounts, these fumes can lead to asphyxiation.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction to food, medicine, or an insect sting.

During anaphylaxis, the body thinks a substance is an invader. Your immune system makes antibodies, which release chemicals that cause symptoms like swelling, hives, or shortness of breath.

This includes swelling of the upper airways. Without treatment, the swelling can get worse and disrupt breathing.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the airways. It can cause symptoms like difficulty breathing and wheezing.

During a severe asthma attack, your airways swell and constrict. Without immediate treatment, the airways can become too narrow and cut off oxygen supply.

An asthma attack can be triggered by:

  • allergens (like pollen or animal dander)
  • chemical irritants
  • strong odors
  • stressful event
  • respiratory infection

Airway blocked with foreign object

Choking happens when a foreign object is stuck in the airway. This makes it difficult to inhale oxygen.

For example, choking may occur if a person incorrectly swallows food. It can also happen due to an alcohol overdose. High amounts of alcohol can reduce a person's gag reflex, potentially causing them to choke on their own vomit.

Strangulation

Strangulation happens when pressure is placed on the neck by a hand, ligature, or other object. This can reduce a person's ability to inhale oxygen. It can also hinder oxygen circulation in the body.

Incorrect body positioning

If a person's body is in a position that blocks the airways, it's called positional asphyxia. This can occur if the body position interferes with normal inhalation or oxygen circulation.

Newborn babies and infants are at high risk of positional asphyxia. That's because they're unable to reposition themselves to unblock their airways.

Seizure

When a person has a seizure, they may experience pauses in breathing called apnea. These pauses can interfere with their oxygen intake.

The convulsions during a seizure can also cause an object to block or cover the person's airways, resulting in asphyxiation.

Drug overdose

An overdose of a drug, like opioids, can interfere with the brain's ability to regulate breathing. In turn, the person is unable to breathe deeply and exhale carbon dioxide. This increases their carbon dioxide levels and reduces oxygen in the body.

Asphyxiation can occur during childbirth. This is called birth asphyxia or perinatal asphyxia.

During birth asphyxia, there is insufficient blood or oxygen flow to the fetus. This can happen just before, during, or after childbirth. Most cases happen during the process of giving birth.

Possible causes include:

  • lack of oxygen in the mother's blood
  • reduced breathing in the mother due to anesthesia
  • fever or low blood pressure in the mother
  • umbilical cord compression
  • poor function of the placenta
  • placental abruption
  • uterine rupture

The symptoms of birth asphyxia vary. Before delivery, the baby might have an abnormal heart rate or high acid levels in their blood.

During childbirth, a baby with birth asphyxia may have:

  • pale or blueish skin
  • low heart rate
  • weak reflexes
  • weak cry or breathing
  • gasping

Birth asphyxia might cause problems with the baby's:

  • cell function
  • brain
  • heart
  • blood vessels
  • gastrointestinal tract
  • kidneys
  • lungs

Erotic asphyxiation is when a person cuts off their partner's oxygen supply for sexual arousal. It's also called sexual asphyxia or "breath play."

This form of asphyxiation may involve acts like suffocation, choking, or compressing the other person's chest.

Erotic asphyxiation can be dangerous. The person performing the act might underestimate the severity of oxygen restriction. In other cases, the person experiencing asphyxia might be unable to communicate that they can't breathe.

If erotic asphyxiation continues, the brain might not receive enough oxygen. This can result in serious brain injury or death.

Autoerotic asphyxiation

Autoerotic asphyxiation is when a person performs erotic asphyxiation on themselves. They might use choking, strangulation, or chest compression to reduce their own oxygen intake.

Like erotic asphyxiation, autoerotic asphyxiation is done to increase sexual pleasure. These acts are usually done alone.

This type of asphyxiation is extremely dangerous because no one's around to help if you lose too much oxygen.

Common symptoms of asphyxiation include:

Treatment for asphyxiation depends on the cause. It may include:

  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR is a procedure that involves chest compressions to promote blood and oxygen circulation. It's used when a person's heart stops beating.
  • Heimlich maneuver. The Heimlich maneuver is a first aid technique for choking. It uses abdominal thrusts below the diaphragm to remove a foreign object from a person's airways.
  • Oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy delivers oxygen to your lungs. It may involve a ventilator, a breathing tube, or a mask or nose tube that provides oxygen.
  • Medication. Medication can help ease the effects of an allergic reaction, severe asthma attack, or drug overdose. For example, epinephrine (EpiPen) can quickly treat anaphylaxis.

Practicing caution is the best way to prevent asphyxiation. But the exact steps for preparedness depend on the specific cause.

Here's how to prevent:

Drowning

Never enter a body of water without another person present. Avoid swimming in bad weather.

Wear a life jacket or take swimming lessons if you don't know how to swim. Never swim while using alcohol or drugs.

Always supervise babies or young children near water. This includes babies in the bathtub or sink.

Chemical asphyxia

To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Replace the batteries regularly.

Never use a gasoline or charcoal-burning appliance in your home or in the garage. Avoid letting your car run in the garage. Get your gas, coal, or oil-burning appliances inspected each year.

Anaphylaxis

Avoid any foods or substances that you know you're allergic to. Double-check the ingredients when eating at restaurants.

Visit an allergist if you're not sure what you're allergic to. Keep an EpiPen on hand and make sure others know where to find it.

Asthma

If you have asthma, work with your doctor to develop an asthma management plan. Carry your inhaler with you at all times. Avoid your known asthma triggers.

Choking

Avoid putting foreign objects in your mouth. When you eat, chew slowly and avoid talking.

Always supervise young children during mealtimes. Make sure they sit up straight and cut their food into tiny pieces. Keep small objects, like household items and toys, out of their reach.

Strangulation

Learning self-defense techniques can help you prevent strangulation.

When dressing babies or young children, be mindful of drawstrings around the neck. Avoid letting them play with ribbon, cord, or strings. Keep their sleeping area free of soft and loose materials.

Incorrect body positioning

Place babies on their back for sleeping. This keeps their nose and mouth from being obstructed.

Seizure

If another person is having a seizure, loosen any accessories around their neck. Clear the area and make sure there are no heavy objects nearby.

Drug overdose

If you think someone is experiencing a drug overdose, call 911 immediately. Avoid leaving the person alone.

Asphyxiation is caused by lack of oxygen. It can quickly lead to loss of consciousness, brain injury, or death. Some causes of asphyxiation include drowning, asthma, and choking.

Asphyxiation is often caused by accident. To prevent it, use caution and avoid leaving babies and small children alone.

If another person is experiencing asphyxia, call 911. Getting emergency assistance can help save someone's life.

For some of us, wildfire smoke is more than an inconvenience - Pamplin Media Group

Posted: 01 Jun 2021 12:00 AM PDT

Forest fire smoke has the potential to send some of us indoors - whether that be for a day or even a week at a time

PHOTO COURTESY OF OCHOCO NATIONAL FOREST - The next time someone is wheezing due to smoke in the air, be vigilant and aware of their condition. A serious episode happens very quickly. Most of all, be empathetic.

As another prescribed burn fills the horizon with haze, Crook County residents brace themselves for another week of smoke-filled skies.

For most, smoky skies are more of a nuisance than anything else. For the majority of people, it might make their eyes water or cause some sinus irritation, but nothing worrisome. For those of us who have asthma or sensitivity to smoke, the news of an upcoming prescribed burn is more than an inconvenience. Forest fire smoke has the potential to send some of us indoors—whether that be for a day or even a week at a time.

I understand the need for prescribed burning, and I am not questioning the many prescribed burns that are administered in the springtime and fall seasons. These burns help clean the undergrowth in our forests to prevent worsening fires during the summer fire season. They are important tools to helping keep our forests and parks healthy.

What some folks need to understand is that to those who are unlucky enough to be adversely affected by smoky skies, the particulates can be deadly and or at the very least, debilitating. During one especially bad fire season, I spent the summer on prednisone and my nebulizer just to breathe. I made multiple trips to urgent care and my pulmonologist. I made the mistake of posting something about the toxic air on Facebook, and I had comments like, "We are all having to deal with the bad air."

So, next time you are agitated about someone who has respiratory problems verbalizing how bad the air is during fire season, have some empathy. In a research done by The National Library of Medicine, "The increasing frequency of large wildland fires, the expansion of the wildland-urban interface, the area between unoccupied land and human development; and an increasing and aging U.S. population are increasing the number of people at-risk from wildfire smoke, thus highlighting the necessity for broadening stakeholder cooperation to address the health effects of wildfire."

They also addressed respiratory morbidity, which includes asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis and pneumonia. "The epidemiological data linking wildfire smoke exposure to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity is mixed, and inconclusive."

That said, the issue of the particulates from fire smoke are more than a nuisance to some folks. There still needs to be some solid data on how the air from wildfires affects asthmatics and those with respiratory problems. Asthma attacks can be serious, and we lost one of our own here in Prineville approximately one year ago because of a fatal asthma attack.

The next time someone is wheezing due to smoke in the air, be vigilant and aware of their condition. A serious episode happens very quickly. Most of all, be empathetic.


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Lower-income households have more breathing problems than wealthy Americans - Daily Mail

Posted: 01 Jun 2021 03:34 PM PDT

People who live in lower income housing in the U.S. having more breathing problems and lung illnesses than wealthy Americans, a new study suggests.

Researchers from Harvard Medical School found that about 50 percent of adults in the lowest percentile have trouble breathing compared to nearly 30 percent in the highest percentile.

Similarly, Americans in the lowest percentile were at least twice as likely to report coughing or wheezing, compared to those in the highest income brackets.

What's more, rates of asthma were double among children under 12 years old living in low income housing in comparison with wealthier children. 

A new study found  48.3% of adults in the lowest income percentile (left, black line) reported difficulty of breathing (left, blue line) compared to 27.9% in the highest income percentile from 2017 to 2018 and were three tomes more likely to report a problem cough (right)

A new study found  48.3% of adults in the lowest income percentile (left, black line) reported difficulty of breathing (left, blue line) compared to 27.9% in the highest income percentile from 2017 to 2018 and were three tomes more likely to report a problem cough (right)

About 20% of the poorest Americans (black line) said they had issues wheezing compared, twice as many as 10 percent of the wealthiest (blue line)

About 20% of the poorest Americans (black line) said they had issues wheezing compared, twice as many as 10 percent of the wealthiest (blue line)

Air quality in the U.S. dramatically improved over the last 50 years, and that improvement has only continued during the coronavirus pandemic, with people staying indoors more and traveling less.

According to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency, air pollutant emissions have fallen by 77 percent between 1970 and 2019. 

Specifically, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions have decline by 91 percent and 69 percent, respectfully.

Couple this with rates of adult smoking dropping from 45 percent in 1960 to 13.9 percent in 2020 and it's clear that air quality has improved.

However, there are are still economic disparities when it comes to respiratory health.  

'From the 1960s to today, socioeconomic inequalities in lung health have persisted, and in some instances even worsened,' co-author Dr Adam Gaffney, a pulmonary specialist and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, told UPI in an email.

'This occurred despite improvements in air quality, overall smoking rates, healthcare access and workplace safety, suggesting that the benefits of these advances have not been equitably enjoyed, [so] our lungs reflect the inequalities of our society.'

For the study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the team looked at data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey run between 1960 and 2018.

A total of 215,399 participants were included between ages six and 74, who were split into one of five groups based on family income.

Results showed that from 2017 to 2018, 48.3 percent of adults in the lowest income percentile reported difficulty or labored breathing compared to 27.9 percent in the highest income percentile.

When it came to reports of coughing, the poorest quintile was three times more likely to say it had a problem cough at 15 percent compared to five percent in the wealthiest quintile.

Additionally, 20 percent of the poorest Americans said they had issues wheezing compared, twice as many as 10 percent of the wealthiest.

Roughly 15% of children the poorest households (black line) had asthma compared to 7% in the wealthiest ones (blue line)

Roughly 15% of children the poorest households (black line) had asthma compared to 7% in the wealthiest ones (blue line)

Around 16% of adults in the lowest income percentile (black line) had COPD in comparison with 4% in the highest income percentile (blue line)

Around 16% of adults in the lowest income percentile (black line) had COPD in comparison with 4% in the highest income percentile (blue line)

The researchers also looked at chronic conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

From 2017 to 2018, about 15 percent of children the poorest households had asthma compared to seven percent in the wealthiest ones.  

What's more, 16 percent of adults in the lowest income percentile had COPD in comparison with four percent in the highest income percentile.

So why are rates of breathing-related illnesses so much higher among low-income households?

One reason is that more people in higher income households quit smoking.

Between 1971 and 2018, the percentage of current or former smokers in the wealthiest percentile fell from 62 percent to 34 percent while in the lowest income housing, rates fell from 58 percent to just 56 percent.   

Another reason: pollution, with lower income houses more likely to be in smog-filled cities than higher income houses.

'We all need safe air, safe workplaces and high-quality healthcare [so] we need to advocate for the policies that can make a difference,' Gaffney told UPI.

'We should move to improve air quality standards, workplace safety and achieve universal, comprehensive healthcare,' he said.

Sleep Apnea Devices Market Revenue to Cross USD 11.6 Bn by 2027: Global Market Insights Inc. - KPVI News 6

Posted: 01 Jun 2021 02:30 AM PDT

SELBYVILLE, Del., June 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest report, "Sleep Apnea Devices Market by Product (Therapeutics, Diagnostics), End-use (Home Care Settings & Individuals, Sleep Laboratories & Hospitals), Regional Outlook, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast 2027", by Global Market Insights Inc., the market valuation of sleep apnea devices will cross $11.6 billion by 2027. High adoption of technologically advanced sleep apnea devices along with the increasing number of sleep apnea disorders across the globe will stimulate the market growth.

The increasing geriatric population, availability of insurance coverage for treatment of sleep apnea & other sleep disorders in the U.S., and innovations in sleep apnea devices will spur the industry growth. For instance, the U.S. Health Maintenance Organization, Preferred Provider Organization, and Medicare provide insurance coverage for sleep studies, sleep apnea, and continuous positive airway pressure therapy. According to the IDF Diabetes Atlas, an anticipated 87.6 million people aged 20-79 years were diagnosed with diabetes in the South East Asia region in 2019. Hence, a rising prevalence of chronic conditions associated with sleep ailments is expected to surge the acceptance of sleep apnea devices. Developments in sleep disorder treatment and easily accessible non-invasive options enable faster stabilization in patients. Furthermore, the introduction of smart sleep apnea machines integrated with smart technologies provides an auto-titration to breathe with patients and deliver needed pressure with each inhale, thereby providing better outcomes, assessment, and patient care.

Request a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/489.

The therapeutics segment in the sleep apnea devices market exceeded USD 3.72 billion in 2020 and is poised to witness a 9.9% growth rate by 2027. The benefits of sleep apnea therapeutic devices comprise increasing the air pressure in a patient's throat so that the airway doesn't collapse, helping move mucus from smaller to larger airways, dislodging mucus from the bronchial walls, etc. The high growth rate of the segment is attributable to the rising prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea and correlated co-morbidities. Additionally, the introduction of technologically advanced devices, such as smart airway clearance systems that provide effective bronchiectasis, innovative oral appliance therapy, improved oxygen concentrators, etc., are propelling the segment growth. The surging number of product innovation strategies adopted by key market players will act as a high-impact rendering factor for enhancing the demand for sleep apnea therapeutic devices.

Sleep apnea devices market for home-care settings & individuals segment is estimated to attain a CAGR of 9.5% during 2021 to 2027, owing to increasing usage of oral appliances in the home-care settings, treatment availability and emergence of telemedicine & remote care in sleep apnea. Advent of novel devices that integrate signal acquisition and analysis technology would further influence obstructive sleep apnea diagnostics in home-care settings. The use of smartphone-based applications to monitor sleep apnea treatment has improved comfort and convenience in home sleep apnea treatment.

Brazil dominated the Latin America sleep apnea devices market and accounted for over USD 198 million in 2020, led by the rising prevalence of sleep disorders, high number of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and growing awareness regarding sleep apnea treatment. In Brazil, COPD is one of the leading causes of death, with around 19% prevalence. It is one of the major factors that catalyze the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, according to a Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine study, in Brazil, the majority of the participants reported sleep-related complaints such as insomnia, snoring breathing pauses, etc. Moreover, a growing number of leaders entering the market, a large population base of undiagnosed patients and the increasing adoption of oral appliances would augment the sleep apnea devices market demand in the country.

Request customization of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/roc/489.

Some of the major companies operating in the sleep apnea devices market are BMC Medical, CareFusion Corporation, Cadwell Laboratories, Braebon Medical, Compumedics, Curative Medical, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, GE Healthcare, ImThera Medical, Invacare Corporation, Natus Medical, Itamar Medical, Philips Healthcare, ResMed, Nihon Kohden, Somnetics International, SOMNOmedics, Weinmann Medical Devices and Teleflex. These participants are implementing several strategic initiatives such as research and development activities to introduce novel sleep apnea devices in the market.

Table of Contents (ToC) of the report:

Chapter 3   Sleep Apnea Devices Market Insights

3.1    Industry segmentation

3.2    Industry landscape, 2016 - 2027

3.3    Industry impact forces

3.3.1    Growth drivers

3.3.2    Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.4    Growth potential analysis

3.4.1    By product

3.4.2    By end-use

3.5    COVID-19 impact analysis

3.6    Regulatory landscape

3.7    Reimbursement scenario

3.8    Technology landscape

3.9    Porter's analysis

3.10    Competitive landscape, 2020

3.10.1    Competitive matrix analysis, 2020

3.11    PESTEL analysis

Browse the Complete Table of Contents (ToC) @ https://www.gminsights.com/toc/detail/sleep-apnea-devices-market-report.

About Global Market Insights Inc.

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision-making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology.

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Corporate Sales, USA

Global Market Insights Inc.

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Sleep Apnea Devices Market Growth Predicted at 9% Through 2027: GMI

Major sleep apnea devices market players include BMC Medical, CareFusion Corporation, Cadwell Laboratories, Braebon Medical, Compumedics, Curative Medical, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, GE Healthcare, ImThera Medical, Invacare Corporation, Natus Medica

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SOURCE Global Market Insights Inc.

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