Obstruction of the airway can lead to many different things. It can lead to death due to lack of oxygen, it can cause damage to the brain due to lack of oxygen, and it can cause a person to have a stroke or heart attack.
Five types of airway obstruction include: Foreign Body Obstruction: This occurs when an object, such as food or a toy, blocks the airway. Swelling: Conditions like anaphylaxis or infections can cause inflammation and swelling of the airways, leading to obstruction. Tumors: Growths in the airway, such as benign or malignant tumors, can restrict airflow. Aspiration: Inhaling liquids or solids into the lungs can obstruct the airways and lead to choking or aspiration pneumonia. Chronic Conditions: Diseases like asthma, chronic bronchitis, or COPD can cause narrowing and obstruction of the airways over time.
narrowing of the space inside the small airways
Rhonchi
Obstruction of the airway leads to choking also known as Respiratory Distress. after the body can not longer withstand not receiving oxygen you go into Respiratory Arrest where one is not breathing but there is still a pulse. This untreated can lead to Cardiac Arrest where one has no pulse and no breathing.
Intrinsic airway obstruction refers to a blockage of the airways caused by internal factors, such as inflammation, swelling, or the presence of foreign bodies. Conditions like asthma, bronchitis, or tumors can lead to narrowing or obstruction of the air passages, making it difficult for air to flow in and out of the lungs. This type of obstruction differs from extrinsic obstruction, which is caused by external factors like pressure from surrounding tissues or external objects. Effective management often involves addressing the underlying cause to restore normal airflow.
The very small airways, often referred to as the terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles, are the tiny passages in the lungs that lead to the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. These airways are less than 2 mm in diameter and lack cartilage, making them more susceptible to inflammation and obstruction. They play a crucial role in directing airflow to the alveoli and are significant in respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Proper functioning of these airways is essential for effective breathing and oxygenation of the blood.
Defined clinically as a daily cough with production of sputum for 3 months, two years in a row. In chronic bronchitis, there is inflammation and swelling of the lining of the airways that lead to narrowing and obstruction of the airways. The inflammation stimulates production of mucous (sputum), which can cause further obstruction of the airways. Obstruction of the airways, especially with mucus, increases the likelihood of bacterial lung infections.
Mechanical obstruction of the airways, which commonly occurs when food gets lodged in the throat, can be treated by applying the Heimlich maneuver.
In bronchiectasis, the dilation of the bronchial tree occurs distal to the obstruction. The obstruction can lead to persistent infection and inflammation, causing irreversible damage and widening of the bronchi.
numerous conditions that may lead to an intestinal obstruction. The three most common causes of small bowel obstruction are adhesions, which are bands of scar tissue that form in the abdomen following injury or surgery; hernias
Angioedema is characterized by more diffuse swelling. Swelling of the airways may cause wheezing and respiratory distress. In severe cases, airway obstruction may occur
Septal deformities can cause nasal airway obstruction. Such airway obstruction can lead to mouth breathing, chronic nasal infections, or obstructive sleep apnea.