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Choking is the mechanical obstruction of the flow of air from the environment into the lungs. Choking prevents breathing, and can be partial or complete, with partial choking allowing some, although inadequate, flow of air into the lungs. Prolonged or complete choking results in asphyxia which leads to anoxia and is potentially fatal. Oxygen stored in the blood and lungs can keep a person alive for several minutes after breathing stops. Choking can be caused by: * Physical obstruction of the airway by a foreign body. * Respiratory diseases that involve obstruction of the airway. * Compression of the laryngopharynx, larynx or vertebrate trachea in strangulation. * Laryngospasm, a temporary closing of the vocal cords, which simulates the feeling of choking. Obstruction of the airway can occur at the level of the pharynx or the trachea. Foods that can adapt their shape to that of the pharynx (such as bananas, marshmallows, or gelatinous candies) can be a danger not just for children but for persons of any age. Choking due to a foreign object resulted in 162,000 deaths in 2013 up from 140,000 deaths in 1990. ==Symptoms and signs== * The person cannot speak or cry out, or has great difficulty and limited ability to do so. * Breathing, if possible, is labored, producing gasping or wheezing. * The person has a violent and largely involuntary cough, gurgle, or vomiting noise, though more serious choking victims will have a limited (if any) ability to produce these symptoms since they require at least some air movement. * The person desperately clutches his or her throat or mouth, or attempts to induce vomiting by putting their fingers down their throat. * If breathing is not restored, the person's face turns blue (cyanosis) from lack of oxygen. * The person does any or all of the above, and if breathing is not restored, then becomes unconscious 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Choking」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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