Airway obstruction (patient information): Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Airway obstruction (patient information)}} | {{Airway obstruction (patient information)}} | ||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Airway obstruction|Airway obstruction]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Airway obstruction|Airway obstruction]]''' | ||
| Line 6: | Line 5: | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
An acute upper airway obstruction is a blockage of the upper airway, which can be in the trachea, voice box (laryngeal), or throat (pharyngeal) areas. | |||
==What are the symptoms of Airway obstruction?== | ==What are the symptoms of Airway obstruction?== | ||
Symptoms vary depending on the cause, but some symptoms are common to all types of airway blockage. They include: | |||
* Agitation or fidgeting. | |||
* Bluish color to the skin (cyanosis) Changes in consciousness. | |||
* Choking. | |||
* Confusion. | |||
* Difficulty breathing. | |||
* Gasping for air. | |||
* Panic. | |||
* Unconsciousness. | |||
* Wheezing, crowing, whistling, or other unusual breathing noises indicating breathing difficulty. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Physical examination may show: | |||
Decreased breath sounds in the lungs | |||
Rapid, shallow, or slowed breathing | |||
Tests are usually not necessary, but may include: | |||
Bronchoscopy | |||
Laryngoscopy | |||
X-rays | |||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
==Where to find medical care for Airway obstruction?== | |||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Airway obstruction}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Airway obstruction] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Airway obstruction}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Airway obstruction] | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
Revision as of 16:02, 10 August 2011
|
Airway obstruction |
|
Airway obstruction On the Web |
|---|
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click Airway obstruction
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D.[2] Phone:617-849-2629
Overview
An acute upper airway obstruction is a blockage of the upper airway, which can be in the trachea, voice box (laryngeal), or throat (pharyngeal) areas.
What are the symptoms of Airway obstruction?
Symptoms vary depending on the cause, but some symptoms are common to all types of airway blockage. They include:
- Agitation or fidgeting.
- Bluish color to the skin (cyanosis) Changes in consciousness.
- Choking.
- Confusion.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Gasping for air.
- Panic.
- Unconsciousness.
- Wheezing, crowing, whistling, or other unusual breathing noises indicating breathing difficulty.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Diagnosis
Physical examination may show:
Decreased breath sounds in the lungs Rapid, shallow, or slowed breathing Tests are usually not necessary, but may include:
Bronchoscopy Laryngoscopy X-rays
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Airway obstruction?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Airway obstruction