what is choking and breath holding in medical terms
[edit on Wikidata] 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.
Breath holding is common, especially in children under six years of age. Breath holding spells can happen after your child has a fright, a minor accident, is frustrated or gets very upset. Breath holding is often called a 'spell' or an 'attack' and is most common in toddlers (one to two years of age). Most children grow out of breath holding by the time they reach the age of six. Children who have breath holding spells may: cry and breath hold (stop breathing)