What is Asphyxia?

Asphyxia is described as the point in which the body is deprived of needed oxygen. Severe oxygen deprivation leads to the asphyxia, and it can end up causing one to become unconscious. If the amount of time spent unconscious is too great, death can occur. There are several causes for the condition.

Several causes of asphyxia

Birth asphyxia is one common cause of the issue among infants. When the infant is unable to receive an adequate amount of oxygen, the birth injury asphyxia can occur. Immediate medical treatment is required and it can lead to death of the affected infant. Within a woman with child, the condition can also to the fetus and occurs as a result of the lack of blood supply from the umbilical cord.

There are also other common causes of asphyxia. Choking, drowning, strangulation, improper inhalation and chemical contact can all cause asphyxia in people. Choking can be caused by an obstruction in the airway. Drowning is caused by an individual being submersed in an environment where the proper amount of oxygen cannot be acquired. It is the limited amount of oxygen that leads to asphyxia in cases of drowning. Strangulation occurs when the neck is compressed to the point where little or no oxygen can be taken in by the person. Improper inhalation can result from the ingestion of a foreign body like vomit, and is somewhat common amongst those with drinking issues. The foreign body is inhaled and the subsequent obstruction prevents adequate inhalation of air. Chemical contact can alter the environment of a space and limit the amount of oxygen available to the individual.

Physical process of asphyxia

The airway is impacted during asphyxia through one of the causes like choking or drowning. The blockage causes an obstruction or restriction that reduces or eliminates the amount of oxygen available to the person. If the airway remains restricted, the person can fall into an unconscious state. If the person remains in such a state for a prolonged amount of time, the person could die as a result.

Asphyxia is a common birth injury among unborn children and infants. It can occur among adults as well, and it can be caused in a variety of ways. Medical attention and proper care can minimize the extent of damage done to a patient suffering from asphyxia. Delay in seeking the proper medical attention for this condition can result in long-term and lasting complications. In some cases, it can lead to death in infants and adults.

Goldberg & Osborne, a personal injury law firm, has provided this article for informational purposes only, written by an independent author, and has not reviewed or edited this article and is not responsible for its content or accuracy.