Airway obstruction - acute upper

Symptoms vary depending on the cause, but some symptoms are common to all types of airway blockage. They include:

• Agitation or fidgeting
• Bluish color to the skin (cyanosis)
• Changes in consciousness
• Choking
• Confusion
• Difficulty breathing
• Gasping for air
• Panic
• Unconsciousness
• Wheezing , crowing, whistling, or other unusual breathing noises indicating breathing difficulty

Physical examination may show:

• Decreased breath sounds in the lungs
• Rapid, shallow, or slowed breathing

Tests are usually not necessary, but may include:

• Bronchoscopy
• Laryngoscopy
• X-rays

Images

Choking

Throat anatomy

Respiratory system

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Acute upper airway obstruction Overview

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Acute upper airway obstruction Treatment

Review Date: 07/16/2011
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)