Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Foreign Body Ingestion/Inhalation
Number of Conditions: 2
Airway Obstruction
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Miscellaneous Emergencies
Sub-category: Foreign Body Ingestion/Inhalation
Symptoms:
difficulty breathing; wheezing; choking; cyanosis (bluish skin); inability to speak; stridor (high-pitched breathing sound); unconsciousness in severe cases
Root Cause:
Blockage of the airway caused by foreign objects, swelling, trauma, or other obstructions that impede airflow to the lungs.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on symptoms, physical examination (e.g., visualizing the throat), imaging (e.g., X-ray, CT scan), and potentially bronchoscopy for direct visualization of the airway.
Treatment:
Immediate intervention to clear the obstruction (e.g., Heimlich maneuver, suctioning, or direct removal with instruments), oxygen therapy, and securing the airway through intubation or tracheostomy if necessary.
Medications:
Medications may include epinephrine (a bronchodilator for anaphylaxis), corticosteroids (to reduce airway swelling), and sedatives or anesthetics if endoscopy or surgery is required. Epinephrine - Adrenergic agonist for emergency relief in anaphylaxis. Corticosteroids - Anti-inflammatory drugs for swelling reduction. Bronchodilators - Beta-agonists (e.g., albuterol ) in cases of reactive airway obstruction.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Airway obstruction is a common cause of emergency visits, with thousands of cases annually, particularly in children under 3 and older adults with impaired swallowing reflexes.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Young children (tendency to place objects in their mouths), older adults (swallowing difficulties), eating while talking or laughing, and medical conditions like severe allergies or asthma.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies based on promptness of treatment; most cases resolve without long-term consequences if treated promptly. Delay in treatment can result in hypoxia, brain injury, or death.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hypoxia, cardiac arrest, aspiration pneumonia, tracheal damage, and neurological damage from lack of oxygen.
Esophageal or Gastrointestinal Obstruction
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Miscellaneous Emergencies
Sub-category: Foreign Body Ingestion/Inhalation
Symptoms:
difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); chest pain; drooling; regurgitation; vomiting; abdominal pain; inability to pass gas or stool (in cases of complete obstruction)
Root Cause:
A blockage in the esophagus or gastrointestinal tract caused by ingested foreign objects, strictures, tumors, or impacted food.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical examination, imaging studies (X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound), endoscopy for direct visualization. Contrast studies may be used in some cases.
Treatment:
Removal of the obstruction via endoscopy, surgery for severe cases, and supportive care such as IV fluids or pain management. If caused by food impaction, smooth muscle relaxants or enzymatic agents may be used.
Medications:
Glucagon - Smooth muscle relaxant to assist with food impaction. Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole ) - Reduce acid and prevent mucosal damage in prolonged obstructions. Antiemetics (e.g., ondansetron ) - To control vomiting during treatment.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among young children (due to foreign object ingestion) and adults with esophageal disorders such as strictures or motility issues.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (young children and elderly), neurological disorders, dental issues, alcohol intoxication, and eating too quickly.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if treated promptly; delayed intervention can result in perforation, infection, or permanent damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Perforation, infection (mediastinitis or peritonitis), aspiration pneumonia, esophageal stricture formation, or death in severe cases.