Asphyxia Essay

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Asphyxia is a term whose origin is from Greek and referred to the failure to have a pulse. It is a condition preceded by inadequate uptake of oxygen by the body cells around the brain thus leading to too much retention of carbon dioxide which can cause death. The nerve cells in the brain can only run for four minutes without oxygen. However, if at this time there is no uptake of oxygen, these cells will die and results in unconsciousness, and the greatest consequence, death. A number of factors cause asphyxia, and this forms the basis for its response. Reasons of the complication are also used as the foundation of the complication’s categorization. As mentioned earlier, Asphyxia is due to physically blocking the airway to the brain cells. …show more content…

Environmental suffocation is where one suffocates due to inadequate oxygen in the atmosphere. Such deaths are usually accidental when the oxygen levels in the environment at 16% or below. Smothering, on the other hand, is a cause of suffocation where the external respiratory orifices are closed using the hand or other means. These orifices include the nose and mouth whose blockage is facilitated by putting foreign materials such as paper, cereals in the nose and cloth. Accidental smothering is common among infants during their first days of life. Notably, when premature infants are smothered by the weight of the beddings which cover their nose and mouth, they may suffer accidental smothering (Schmeling, Fracasso, Pragst, Tsokos, & Wirth, 2009). Besides, another good cases example is when an infant during the first three months or fewer slips with its face pressed against the mattress thus the mouth or nostrils are closed or obstruction augments where saliva and edema fluids flow to the mouth resulting in obstruction of breathing (Schmeling, et.al. 2009).
Strangulation is also another form of asphyxia where there is a forced injury of the neck’s tissues. Autopsy examinations have shown that the techniques of strangulation had not changed greatly over the recent decades. In fact, strangulation can be easily noticed unlike other causes of asphyxia …show more content…

The most lethal asphyxiants that cause asphyxia are Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Cyanide, and Hydrogen Sulfide. They alter the utilization and transportation of oxygen to the brain cells (Borron, & Bebarta, 2015). The chemical process that leads to this complication is the combination of these chemicals with the mitochondrial cytochrome thus causing oxidation. According to Borron, & Bebarta, (2015), respiration at the cellular level is interrupted by the oxidation process while the carbon monoxide mixes with hemoglobin thus blocking the delivery of oxygen to the brain cells and tissues. The chemicals are recognized to be volatile and in the case of high concentrations, they may cause the victim to feel weak, lose consciousness, and experience seizures and tachypnea. If victims are removed from the chemicals immediately, recovery is possible. Between 10- 20 minutes after the victim has suffered from the inhalation of the chemical asphyxiants, specific antidotes such as sodium thiosulfate and nitrates can be

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