Page 136 - VERITAS Vol.2 Issue 2

ASPHYXIA

Veritas Volume: 2, Issue: 2, Pages:127-129 Ms. Sanjana Shri. M

Asphyxia is a medical term used for death due to a lack of oxygen sup-

ply to the lungs. In other words, it is a condition where oxygen is re-
placed by other gases such as carbon monoxide, CO2 (Carbon dioxide),

etc. Asphyxia is found in cases such as hanging, suffocation, strangula-

tion, traumatic asphyxia, choking, gaggling, and drowning. The lack of

oxygen partially is known as hypoxia and the complete lack of oxygen

is known as anoxia these conditions can cause death. In a properly ven-

tilated room, the oxygen concentration is 21%, when the oxygen level
decreases to 10-15% a person’s motor function manifests. When the

concentration reaches below 10% a person loses consciousness, where-

as death usually occurs at a concentration level of less than 8%. The

tolerance to asphyxia varies with an individual’s age, adaptation to the

environment, and medical history. People having a history of cardio-

vascular pulmonary or lung diseases are more vulnerable to dying soon
compared to a normal healthy individual. The respiratory, vascular, and

the nervous mechanism are affected mainly.

Fig.1: Asphyxia

127 Veritas Volume: 2, Issue: 2