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asphyxia
asphyxia , deficiency of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in the blood and body tissues. Asphyxia, often referred to as suffocation, usually results from an interruption of breathing due to mechanical blockage of the breathing passages, paralysis of the respiratory muscles following electric shock, inundation of the lungs as may occur with pneumonia or drowning, or substitution of carbon monoxide for oxygen in the red blood cells. Symptoms of asphyxia vary but may include light-headedness, nausea, and gasping, followed by unconsciousness and death. An area quickly affected is the cerebral cortex, the brain center for speech and other conscious behavior; it can be irreparably damaged by as little as five minutes of oxygen deprivation. Damage to the medulla may result in interference with the heartbeat or other involuntary processes. Artificial respiration is the most practical first-aid procedure for asphyxia. Trained personnel can provide oxygen and employ techniques to maintain the heart rate and respiration (see resuscitator ). |
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"asphyxia." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "asphyxia." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-asphyxia.html "asphyxia." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-asphyxia.html |
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asphyxia
as·phyx·i·a / asˈfiksēə/ • n. a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death; suffocation. DERIVATIVES: as·phyx·i·al adj. as·phyx·i·ant / -sēənt/ adj. & n. |
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"asphyxia." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "asphyxia." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-asphyxia.html "asphyxia." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-asphyxia.html |
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asphyxia
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T. F. HOAD. "asphyxia." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "asphyxia." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-asphyxia.html T. F. HOAD. "asphyxia." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-asphyxia.html |
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asphyxia
asphyxia (ă-sfiks-iă) n. suffocation: a life-threatening condition in which oxygen is prevented from reaching the tissues by obstruction of or damage to any part of the respiratory system.
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"asphyxia." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "asphyxia." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-asphyxia.html "asphyxia." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-asphyxia.html |
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asphyxia
asphyxia
•cassia, glacier
•apraxia, dyspraxia
•banksia • eclampsia
•estancia, fancier, financier, Landseer
•intarsia, mahseer, Marcia, tarsier
•bartsia, bilharzia
•anorexia, dyslexia
•intelligentsia • dyspepsia
•Dacia, fascia
•Felicia, Galicia, indicia, Lycia, Mysia
•asphyxia, elixir, ixia
•dossier • nausea
•Andalusia, Lucia
•overseer • Mercia • Hampshire
•Berkshire • Caernarvonshire
•Cheshire • differentia • Breconshire
•Devonshire • Ayrshire
•Galatia, Hypatia, solatia
•alopecia, godetia, Helvetia
•Alicia, Leticia
•Derbyshire • Berwickshire
•Cambridgeshire • Warwickshire
•Argyllshire • quassia • Shropshire
•Yorkshire • Staffordshire
•Hertfordshire • Bedfordshire
•Herefordshire • Oxfordshire
•Forfarshire • Lancashire
•Lincolnshire • Monmouthshire
•Buckinghamshire • Nottinghamshire
•Northamptonshire • Leicestershire
•Wigtownshire • Worcestershire
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Cite this article
"asphyxia." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "asphyxia." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-asphyxia.html "asphyxia." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-asphyxia.html |
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