|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
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 ). |
|
|
Cite this article
"asphyxia." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "asphyxia." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-asphyxia.html "asphyxia." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-asphyxia.html |
|
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. |
|
|
Cite this article
"asphyxia." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "asphyxia." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-asphyxia.html "asphyxia." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-asphyxia.html |
|
asphyxia
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "asphyxia." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "asphyxia." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-asphyxia.html T. F. HOAD. "asphyxia." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-asphyxia.html |
|
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.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"asphyxia." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "asphyxia." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-asphyxia.html "asphyxia." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-asphyxia.html |
|
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
|
|
|
Cite this article
"asphyxia." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "asphyxia." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-asphyxia.html "asphyxia." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-asphyxia.html |
|
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
