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Acute upper airway obstruction - Symptom

Alternative Names

Airway obstruction - acute upper; Choking

Symptoms:

Symptoms vary depending on the cause, but some symptoms are common to all types of obstruction.

Agitation or fidgeting
Bluish color to the skin (cyanosis)
Changes in consciousness
Choking
Confusion
Difficulty breathing
Gasping for air
Panic
Unconsciousness
Wheezing, crowing, whistling, or other unusual breathing noises indicating breathing difficulty

Signs and tests:

Physical examination may show:

Decreased breath sounds in the lungs
Rapid, shallow, or slowed breathing

Tests are usually not necessary, but may include:

Throat anatomy

Choking

Respiratory system

Reviewed last on: 2/11/2009
A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Jacob L. Heller, MD, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic (10/2/2008).

References

Manno M. Pediatric respiratory emergencies: upper airway obstruction and infections. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006: chap 166.

Thomas SH, Brown DFM. Foreign bodies. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006: chap 57.

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