Home > Asphyxia

Asphyxia in humans is a medical emergency.

Causes of asphyxia can include:

• Crushing or constriction of the chest or abdomen
• Choking
• Drowning
• Strangulation, or external constriction of the neck or throat, e.g. by a rope (as in hanging), hands, or a snake
• Reduction of the airways due to anaphylaxis or asthma
• Inhalation of vomit
• Positional asphyxiaPositional asphyxia also known as postural asphyxia is a form of asphyxia which occurs when someone's position prevents them from breathing adequately. A small but significant number of people die suddenly and without apparent reason during restraint by p
• Contact with a pulmonary agentA pulmonary agent (or choking agent is a chemical weapon agent designed to impede a victim's ability to breathe, resulting in suffocation. Examples of pulmonary agents include: chlorine gas chloropicrin (PS) diphosgene (DP) phosgene (CG) References U. or cyanogenic compound
• The extremely dangerous and frequently lethal practice of erotic asphyxiation, also called "breath control play"; including autoerotic asphyxiationAutoerotic asphyxiation is the practice of self- strangulation, typically by the use of a ligature, while masturbating. The decrease of blood to the brain is said to heighten the sexual pleasure. It is a highly dangerous practice that results in many deat
• A seizureThis article is about the medical condition. In law, seizure can also refer to taking possession of an item: see search and seizure. Seizures (or convulsions are temporary alterations in brain functions due to abnormal electrical activity of a group of br which stops breathing activity
• Sleep apneaSleep apnea (alternatively sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. It is a kind of dyssomnia. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) Most people with sleep apnea have obstructive apnea, in which the person stops breathing d

Problems during childbirth can lead to the newborn experiencing asphyxia.

Prolonged asphyxia can result in brain damage even when it does not cause death.

See also

• hypoxia (medical)
• oxygen depletion (aquatic ecology)