ما هو السبب الأكثر شيوعاً لانسداد مجرى الهواء أو ضعفه؟ هل هو اللسان؟

Upper airway obstruction is a critical medical emergency. When a patient is unconscious, unresponsive, or experiencing cardiac arrest, loss of muscle tone often causes the tongue to fall backward and block the pharynx.

Key Causes of Upper Airway Obstruction

• Anatomical / Soft Tissue: The tongue (most common in comatose or cardiac arrest patients).

• Swelling / Edema: Angioedema, allergic reactions, burns, or inflammation of the oropharynx and larynx.

• Trauma: Maxillofacial fractures, laryngeal trauma, or hematomas.

• Foreign Body: Choking on food or objects (requiring maneuvers like abdominal thrusts if conscious, or emergency airway protocols if unresponsive).

• Infection: Epiglottitis, retropharyngeal abscess, or severe croup.