AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION

The partial or complete blockage in any part of the airway from nose and mouth into our lungs called an airway obstruction. It may sometime minor or sometime life-threatening emergencies that require immediate medical attention.

CLASSIFICATION

1)     Based on where the obstruction occurs -

a)      Upper airway obstructions - in the area from nose and lips to larynx.

b)     Lower airway obstructions - in the area between larynx and narrow passageways of lungs.

2)     Based on how much it blocks-

a)      Partial airway obstructions - allow some air to pass. Person can still breathe, but it will be difficult.

b)     Complete airway obstructions - do not allow any air to pass. Person cannot be able to breathe.

3)     Based on duration of occurrence -

a)      Acute airway obstructions - blockages that occur quickly. An example choking on a foreign object.

b)     Chronic airway obstructions - blockages that take a long time to develop or blockages that last for a long time.

CAUSES

The causes of an airway obstruction include:

·         A respiratory illness that causes upper airway inflammation, called croup.

·         A small object becoming lodged in the nose or mouth.

·         Breathing in a large amount of smoke from a fire.

·         Inhaling or swallowing a foreign object.

·         Trauma to the airway from an accident.

·         Vocal cord problems.

·         Allergic reactions.

·         Viral infections.

·         Bacterial infections.

·         Asthma.

·         Emphysema.

·         Cystic fibrosis.

·         Chronic bronchitis.

·         Abscesses in the throat or tonsils.

·         Swelling of the tongue or epiglottis.

·         Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

·         A collapse of the tracheal wall, known as tracheomalacia.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

The symptoms of an airway obstruction depend on the cause and on the location of the obstruction. Symptoms includes:

·         Agitation

·         Cyanosis, or bluish-colored skin

·         Confusion

·         Difficulty breathing

·         Gasping for air

·         Panic

·         High-pitched breathing noises such as wheezing

·         Unconsciousness

DIAGNOSIS

Airway obstructions are diagnosed by evaluating the symptoms and diagnostics procedure that include:

·         X-ray

·         Bronchoscopy

·         Laryngoscopy

·         CT scan

PREVENTION

Some of the airway obstructions can prevented by using the following Measures:

·        Eat slowly.

·        Eat small bites of food.

·        Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol before eating.

·        Chew thoroughly before swallowing.

·        Supervise small children when eating.

·        Keep small objects away from children.

TREATMENT

An airway obstruction is usually an emergency. The management strategies include:

·        The Heimlich maneuver  

·        Oxygen delivery via high-flow nasal cannula

·        Steroid therapy - If there is inflammation or oedema associated with the obstruction.

·        Nebulized epinephrine

·        Heliox

·        Continuous positive airway pressure