- What is a occlusion?
- What causes a occlusion?
- Treatments for occlusion
- When to see a doctor about occlusion
While a mild occlusion where you can still exhale air can be frightening, it is normally not dangerous, and atypically lasts only a few minutes.
A spasm in the vocal corduroys can be an isolated incident and be caused by a variety of medical conditions.
Normally, the vocal corduroys separate when a person breathes, which is called abduction. A occlusion causes the vocal corduroys to be forcibly pushed together, called motion. When the vocal corduroys spasm, they can fully or partly close the airway.
- During a occlusion, most people can still cough and exhale air but may struggle to take in air.
- A occlusion feels similar to choking. This is because, likewise to choking, the airway is blocked.
- Remaining calm and holding the breath for 5 seconds may treat it, on with other techniques.
- People should contact a doctor after experiencing a occlusion since some other may occur.
- If you are not able to breathe or if you hear a high-pitched asthma attacktic sound called symptom when you breathe, then you need emergency medical help.
What is a occlusion?
Tightness in the throat may be a symptom of occlusion.
The spasm atypically lasts about 60 seconds, which is not long enough to pose any danger. seldom, particularly, as a reaction to anaesthesia, a occlusion lasts thirster and inevitably emergency medical attention.
These spasms can happen when people are feeding, but unlike choking, nothing is lodged in the throat. Other symptoms of occlusion include:
- abrupt difficulty breathing with no apparent cause
- a feeling of tightness in the throat
- occasionally, loss of consciousness
Because a occlusion is often the product of some other condition, there may be other symptoms. People with internal organ reflux illness (GERD), for instance, may experience symptoms of pyrosis or reflux instantly before, during, or after a spasm in the vocal corduroys.
Sometimes a more serious condition can match a occlusion. People who experience difficulty breathing associated with a new medication or food should not assume the problem is a occlusion. In these cases, tightness in the throat could signal an allergic reaction.
What causes a occlusion?
A occlusion may be a reflex to prevent accidental drowning.
Doctors think that a occlusion may be a reflex designed to prevent accidental drowning or suffocation.
People who accidentally inhale food piece talking, for example, can benefit from a occlusion because it prevents the food from block the airway. This is the reason why it is common to experience a occlusion piece feeding or drinking. Some people experience symptoms after feeling as if food has gone down "the wrong pipe."
Unlike choking, a person experiencing a occlusion will not feel thing physically lodged in the throat. The Heimlich maneuver besides does not stop a occlusion.
Eating is just one potential occlusion cause. Some alternative causes for this frightening sensation include:
Stress and anxiety
Some people may experience a occlusion in response to intense anxiety or stress. During a panic attack, breathing or intense fear may trigger a occlusion. The tightness in the throat can then make the panic even worse.
Anesthesia
Anesthesia can trigger the occlusion reflex, particularly in children. It is even more common in babies. Overall, about 1 percentage of adults and children, receiving anaesthesia, experience a occlusion. In children who have asthma attack or a metabolism infection, the incidence increases to about 10 percentage.
People who experience a occlusion under general anaesthesia for surgery mightiness ne'er know it happened since the anesthetist will instantly intervene.
Neurological Issues
Neurological issues can trigger a occlusion. For instance, people who have recently sustained a spinal cord or brain injury may experience muscle spasms, including occlusion.
Nerve injuries, particularly in or near the neck and spine, can besides be a factor. Some people with paralytic vocal corduroys experience occlusions.
Gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD) is a syndrome that causes the stomach table of contents, including stomach acid, to flow back up the oesophagus and into the throat.
Some people with GERD experience intense burning and pain. Some individuals besides experience occlusion. A small study of eight people with GERD found that a recent metabolism infection increases the risk of occlusion. In this group, forceful coughing triggered some occlusions and fainting.
Asthma and allergies
People with asthma attack and metabolism allergies are more vulnerable to occlusion. Trfeeding these allergies and carrying an asthma attack inhalator can reduce the risk of future spasms. People with metabolism issues, including asthma attack, are more vulnerable to occlusion piece under anaesthesia.
Treatments for occlusion
Holding the breath for 5 seconds, in through the nose and out through pursed lips, may stop a occlusion.
During a occlusion, a person should always try to remain calm. They should not gasp for air or try to gulp air in through their mouth. Panicking can make the spasm last thirster and will cause symptoms to feel more intense.
A few simple techniques may stop the spasm:
- Hold the breath for 5 seconds, then breathe slowly through the nose. Exhale through pursed lips. Repeat until the spasm stops.
- Cut a straw in half. During an attack, seal the lips around the straw and breathe in only through the straw and not the nose. This technique encourages slower breathing that can help relax the vocal corduroys.
- Push on a pressure point near the ears. This point, best-known as the occlusion notch, can force the vocal corduroys to relax. Locate the soft spot behind the earlobes and just above the jaw. Forcefully push down and in toward the throat. The pressure should be forceful enough to be painful, and if it works, it should relieve the symptoms of occlusion instantly.
Other treatments focus on addressing the underlying cause of occlusions. For instance, people with anxiety disorders may benefit from anti-anxiety medications or psychomedical care. Trfeeding ulcers can reduce the severity of GERD, possibly stopping occlusions, as well.
People who have frequent occlusions at night may need to sleep with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Speech medical care may help in some cases, particularly when there is a neurologic cause. When other treatments fail, a botulinus poison (Botox) injection can paralyze the vocal corduroys and prevent consequent attacks.
When to see a doctor about occlusion
Doctors can perform a battery of tests to determine the cause. They will besides ask questions about life style, anxiety, and the conditions encompassing the spasm. GI testing, a CT scan of the sinuses, allergic reaction testing, and trials of various medications can help illuminate the cause.
People who have a history of occlusion should tell their doctor about their experience before undergoing anaesthesia. Although extremely rare, if a occlusion does not stop after a minute or two, or if it causes a loss of consciousness, it should be treated as a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the emergency room.
