Breathing, the process of taking in air, requires the cooperation of the respiratory system that exchanges the oxygen with the blood, the circulatory system that carries the oxygen, the nervous system that sends signals to the necessary muscles and the musculoskeletal system that contracts to allow the lungs to expand. Injuries or illness to any one of these can impair breathing. A breathing emergency describes a situation in which air cannot get into the lungs and the organs become oxygen deprived.
Choking
Choking occurs when food or small objects become stuck in the throat and block the airways. Choking is a breathing emergency because air cannot get into the lungs, which restricts the flow of oxygen to the brain. MedlinePlus and the National Institutes of Health report that a brain deprived of oxygen for more than four minutes can result in permanent brain damage or death.
Young children possess the highest risk of choking. Food such as hot dogs, grapes and nuts can easily become lodged in the airways. Signs of choking include the inability to talk, difficulty breathing, blue lips and skin, and loss of consciousness. This breathing emergency requires quick action to remove the object using the Heimlich maneuver.
Asthma
Asthma describes a chronic lung disease that affects more than 20 million people in the United States, according to Merck. Certain substances, such as inhaled allergens, cigarette smoke and cold air, trigger asthma attacks. In the presence of a trigger, the smooth muscles surrounding the airways contract, constricting the airway. In addition, the immune system releases chemicals that cause swelling of the airways and increase the production of mucus. These actions all lead to significant narrowing of the airways that restricts the flow of air.
Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath that can lead to anxiety, rapid pulse and sweating. A severe asthma attack allows very little air into the lungs, causing a breathing emergency. Patients experience confusion and lethargy, their skin can turn blue and they may lose consciousness.
Anaphylactic Shock
Anaphylactic shock, also known as anaphylaxis, describes a life-threatening condition caused by an allergic reaction. An allergy is the abnormal reaction of the immune system to normally harmless substances such as pollen, dust, pet dander, foods, medications or insect stings. In the presence of an allergen, the body produces antibodies against the substance, triggering the release of chemicals that leads to inflammation and usually non-threatening symptoms such as rash, runny nose and itching.
The most common triggers of anaphylactic shock include medications such as penicillin, foods such as nuts or fish and insect stings such as bee stings, according to MayoClinic.com. In the presence of the allergen, the body typically reacts within minutes. Anaphylactic shock causes a weak and rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting and hives. The condition becomes a life-threatening breathing emergency when the airways constrict due to swelling of the tongue or throat.
