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GuideWisdom™

This WisdomCard managed by: Kricel Abreu

An acute upper airway obstruction is a blockage of the upper airway. The upper airway can be in the trachea, laryngeal (voice box), or pharyngeal (throat) areas. This obstruction is also known as choking.

Fast Facts:

• -- There are a number of causes including viral and bacterial infections, fire or inhalation burns, chemical burns and reactions, allergic reactions, foreign bodies, and trauma
• -- Symptoms of acute upper airway obstruction are dramatic and easy to diagnose
• -- Complete obstruction, if not corrected, leads to rapid suffocation and death
• -- Cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes, is caused by lack of oxygen in the blood, confusion, or unconsciousness.

5 Great Resources on Acute Upper Airway Obstruction

• A.D.A.M (via MedLinePlus):Definition of Acute Upper Airway Obstruction
• MONASH University:Acute Upper Airway Obstruction
• UpToDate: Introduction to Acute Upper Airway Obstruction
• Aetna InteliHealth: Choking
• Wikipedia: Definition of Choking

5 Latest Headlines on Acute Upper Airway Obstruction

• More Acute Upper Airway Obstruction News from Topix

What is Acute Upper Airway Obstruction?

• COPD International: Glossary of COPD Terms - Airway Obstruction
• MedicineNet: Definition of Airway obstruction
• Gale Encyclopedia (via HealthAtoZ): Choking Definition

What Are The Symptoms of Acute Upper Airway Obstruction?

• A.D.A.M. (via MedlinePlus): Acute Upper Airway Obstruction Symptoms
• Royal Children's Hospital: The Signs of Partial Acute Airway Obstruction
• Healthwise (via Revolution Health Group): Signs of Choking (Complete Airway Obstruction)

What Are The Causes and Complications of Acute Upper Airway Obstruction?

• A.D.A.M.(via MedlinePlus): Causes | Complications
• CureResearch: Medical Conditions Causing Choking
• eMedicine Health (via WebMD): Choking Causes

What Are the Treatments and Medications for Acute Upper Airway Obstruction?

• A.D.A.M (via MedlinePlus): Treatment of Airway Obstruction
• eHow: How To Do the Heimlich Maneuver
• essortment: First Aid for Choking Victim

Prognosis of Acute Upper Airway Obstruction?

• A.D.A.M (via MedlinePlus): Prognosis of Airway Obstruction

How Do You Prevent Acute Upper Airway Obstruction?

• KidsHealth: How Can I Prevent Choking
• A.D.A.M (via MedlinePlus): Prevention of Airway Obstruction
• MumsWeb: How to Prevent Choking in Young Children

Scientific and Medical Journal Articles on Acute Upper Airway Obstruction

• PubMed Central: Acute Upper Airway Obstruction Articles
• JAMA: Archives of Acute Upper Airway Obstruction
• Google Scholar: Recent Articles on Acute Upper Airway Obstruction

Related WisdomCards

• Sleep Apnea
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Albuterol
• Ventolin
• Proventil
• Choking
• Tracheostomy
• Asthma

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