Breathing Emergencies: Airway Injuries, Obstructions and Disorders
Difficulty breathing can lead to unconsciousness or death. Learn how to deal with sudden shortness of breath and airway obstructions. Here are tips to get the help you need.
Chest Trauma
Chest trauma can be penetrating or blunt. If the injury pokes through the skin (stabbing, gunshot wound, arrow through the heart, etc) we call it penetrating chest trauma. If a sharp object tearing deep into skin and muscle isn't the main cause of tissue damage, consider it blunt chest trauma. Some blunt forces can still break the skin -- getting kicked by a horse comes to mind -- but tearing the…
Chest trauma can be penetrating or blunt. If the injury pokes through the skin (stabbing, gunshot wound, arrow through the heart, etc) we call it penetrating chest trauma. If a sharp object tearing deep into skin and muscle isn't the main cause of tissue damage, consider it blunt chest trauma. Some blunt forces can still break the skin -- getting kicked by a horse comes to mind -- but tearing the…
Treat a Sucking Chest Wound
A hole in the chest (gunshot wound, stabbing or other puncture wound) makes a new pathway for air to travel into the chest when it expands. That hole pulling air into the chest cavity is called a sucking chest wound.
A hole in the chest (gunshot wound, stabbing or other puncture wound) makes a new pathway for air to travel into the chest when it expands. That hole pulling air into the chest cavity is called a sucking chest wound.
Treat Flail Chest
Flail chest refers to a serious breech in the integrity of the ribcage from more than one adjacent broken ribs broken in more than one place each. Instead of rigidly holding the normal shape of the chest, flail chest results in a segment of the chest wall flailing back and forth in the opposite direction of the rest of the chest wall.
Flail chest refers to a serious breech in the integrity of the ribcage from more than one adjacent broken ribs broken in more than one place each. Instead of rigidly holding the normal shape of the chest, flail chest results in a segment of the chest wall flailing back and forth in the opposite direction of the rest of the chest wall.
Broken Ribs
Kids and the elderly can get broken ribs easier than younger adults. Most broken ribs come from vehicle accidents, but they're also common from falling off horses, sports injuries and falls. In some cases, lots of forceful coughing -- like from a bout of pneumonia -- can cause rib fractures.
Kids and the elderly can get broken ribs easier than younger adults. Most broken ribs come from vehicle accidents, but they're also common from falling off horses, sports injuries and falls. In some cases, lots of forceful coughing -- like from a bout of pneumonia -- can cause rib fractures.
What Causes Shortness of Breath?
Anything that interferes with breathing leads to too little oxygen and too much carbon dioxide in the blood. Shortness of breath also comes from a sudden demand for oxygen in the body through exercise or stress. Learn about the variety of reasons one might have difficulty breathing and experience shortness of breath.
Anything that interferes with breathing leads to too little oxygen and too much carbon dioxide in the blood. Shortness of breath also comes from a sudden demand for oxygen in the body through exercise or stress. Learn about the variety of reasons one might have difficulty breathing and experience shortness of breath.
How Can I Tell if Someone is Short of Breath?
Victims of shortness of breath look like they've just finished running uphill. Still, the way to really tell if someone is having trouble breathing is to ask him. Regardless of the cause of shortness of breath, the only way for the body to get more oxygen is to get more air.
Victims of shortness of breath look like they've just finished running uphill. Still, the way to really tell if someone is having trouble breathing is to ask him. Regardless of the cause of shortness of breath, the only way for the body to get more oxygen is to get more air.
How can I tell if I have a DVT?
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a vein deep below the surface of the skin. If a DVT breaks loose and travels to the lungs it is called a pulmonary embolism (PE).
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a vein deep below the surface of the skin. If a DVT breaks loose and travels to the lungs it is called a pulmonary embolism (PE).
Can I treat hyperventilation syndrome by breathing into a paper bag?
Hyperventilating into a paper bag? The answer is definitely no -- unless your doctor tells you to.
Hyperventilating into a paper bag? The answer is definitely no -- unless your doctor tells you to.
Pop
A sudden pop in the chest can lead to severe shortness of breath - especially if it is a collapsed lung.
A sudden pop in the chest can lead to severe shortness of breath - especially if it is a collapsed lung.
Hyperventilation Syndrome
Hyperventilation syndrome is very scary, but not life-threatening. It can be hard to tell hyperventilation syndrome apart from other causes of shortness of breath.
Hyperventilation syndrome is very scary, but not life-threatening. It can be hard to tell hyperventilation syndrome apart from other causes of shortness of breath.
Treat Hyperventilation Syndrome
Hyperventilation syndrome is not life-threatening, but can lead to a significant decrease in carbon dioxide. Hyperventilation syndrome is scary and leads to increased anxiety, which makes the hyperventilation syndrome worse.
Hyperventilation syndrome is not life-threatening, but can lead to a significant decrease in carbon dioxide. Hyperventilation syndrome is scary and leads to increased anxiety, which makes the hyperventilation syndrome worse.
Common Causes of Shortness of Breath
Many conditions cause shortness of breath. These are the most common.
Many conditions cause shortness of breath. These are the most common.
Recognizing and Responding to Anaphylaxis
One of the most dangerous medical conditions is a severe allergy called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can potentially affect as much as 15 percent of the population and is commonly fatal. Know how to recognize and treat anaphylaxis.
One of the most dangerous medical conditions is a severe allergy called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can potentially affect as much as 15 percent of the population and is commonly fatal. Know how to recognize and treat anaphylaxis.
Anxiety Attack - Definition - Anxiety Disorders Gossary
Learn the definition of anxiety attack in the Anxiety Disorders Glossary, including further resources to help you understand anxiety attacks and related conditions.
Learn the definition of anxiety attack in the Anxiety Disorders Glossary, including further resources to help you understand anxiety attacks and related conditions.
Namenda - Drug Profile
Information about the medication Namenda, used for treating dementia and memory loss in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's Disease.
Information about the medication Namenda, used for treating dementia and memory loss in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's Disease.
Norvasc Drug Profile
Information about the cardiac medication Norvasc used for treating angina and high blood pressure.
Information about the cardiac medication Norvasc used for treating angina and high blood pressure.
Fundamental First Aid: The ABC's
In any situation, it's important to stay calm and follow the basics.
In any situation, it's important to stay calm and follow the basics.
CPR - Child (1 to 8 yrs old)
Steps to perform CPR on kids 1 to 8 years old.
Steps to perform CPR on kids 1 to 8 years old.
Breathing Difficulties - First Aid
Learn what to do for shortness of breath, regardless of the cause.
Learn what to do for shortness of breath, regardless of the cause.
Asthma Symptoms in Children
Find out how to recognize asthma in children. Learn about treatments and find more resources for asthma in kids.
Find out how to recognize asthma in children. Learn about treatments and find more resources for asthma in kids.
Choking - Adult or Child Over 1 Year
Learn how to clear an airway.
Learn how to clear an airway.
Choking - infant under 1 year
Kids put everything in their mouths. Learn how to get objects out.
Kids put everything in their mouths. Learn how to get objects out.