What is Asphyxia; the medical condition that killed Lois Abena Koranteng?

The case of Lois Abena Koranteng, who tragically passed away while on a business trip with her boss, has shaken many people.

The matter gained widespread attention when the family of the deceased raised awareness of the incident, criticizing both the police service and the company their relative worked with for their inactions.

According to the family, Lois Abena Koranteng was found unconscious in a swimming pool at the hotel where she lodged together with her boss and a company driver.

Efforts to revive her proved futile as she was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Following public outcry, police released a statement saying the cause of death was asphyxia, severe pulmonary edema and drowning after an autopsy was conducted at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

So, what is asphyxia

Many will wonder what asphyxia is and how it caused the death of Lois Abena Koranteng.

According to WebMD, Asphyxia, also known as suffocation, is a life-threatening situation that happens when the body is deprived of oxygen.

The body is designed to function in a way that it facilitates the exchange of oxygen in and out of the body.

Situations that cause asphyxia

There are some unique medical situations that can cause asphyxia, including but not limited to asthma, drowning, drug overdose, hanging, choking, and seizure among others.

Several causes of asphyxia are accidental, but in some rare cases, certain factors can increase a person's chance of asphyxiation.

Symptoms

It is not difficult to detect if someone is suffering from asphyxia.

The following are the signs to look out for:

Loss of consciousness

Inability to speak

Difficulty swallowing

Shortness of breath

Quick or deep breathing

A red, purple, blue or gray tint on the person’s face or lips

Coughing

Dizziness

Memory loss

Peeing or pooping without meaning to

Headaches

Treatment

Asphyxia requires immediate attention and treatment since it’s an emergency.

One of the quickest ways to help someone suffocating is to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

A person can also perform the Heimlich maneuver on someone who is choking on something or has their airway blocked.

A person can perform this by standing behind the victim, wrapping their arms around their torso and thrusting upward with their clasped fists.

Performing any of these actions can save a life.

MAG/AE