Traumatic Asphyxia Explained: A tragic accident took place in Janakpuri area of ​​Delhi last week. A 25-year-old youth was returning home after office on his bike, when he fell along with the bike into a pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board. He remained lying in the pit the whole night and died. At present, the post mortem report in this case has not been revealed, but it is suspected that due to heavy pressure on the chest, he might have suffered traumatic asphyxia, due to which he died. His mouth and nose got blocked by the mud of the pit, due to which he died due to suffocation.

According to sources, burn marks were found on the right thigh of the body in the postmortem. Perhaps this might have happened due to prolonged contact with the bike’s silencer after death. According to the doctors, when the young man fell into the pit, he would have become unconscious. Due to this, his mouth and nose might have got filled with mud and due to this he might have suffocated. However, the exact cause of death will be clear only in the post mortem report. After this information came to light, the word Traumatic Asphyxia has come into discussion. Now the question is what is traumatic asphyxia and how does it cause death?

What is Traumatic Asphyxia?

Dr. Lokendra Gupta, Emergency Head of Medanta Hospital, Lucknow, UP told News18. That traumatic asphyxia is a serious medical emergency. When there is suddenly too much pressure on a person’s chest or stomach, it becomes difficult to breathe. This condition is seen in incidents like road accidents, being crushed in a stampede and being buried under very heavy objects. This condition can be fatal if not treated on time. In traumatic asphyxia, due to intense pressure on the chest, the lungs are not able to expand properly and oxygen is not able to reach the body. The pressure in the veins of the chest and neck increases, due to which the blood flow becomes abnormal. In many cases the patient becomes unconscious.

How can life be saved in traumatic asphyxia?

The doctor said that the condition of traumatic asphyxia can happen to any person, but the risk of death is higher in people with weak lungs or pre-existing respiratory disease. Treatment of this condition depends on emergency medical treatment. First of all, pressure should be removed from the person’s body and it is necessary to immediately bring the patient to open air. After this, oxygen is given, breathing is monitored and ventilator support is given if needed. Doctors also check whether there is any serious injury to the lungs, heart or brain. If there is any injury, it is also treated.