The causes of suffocation in the neck can be different. Such a symptom of moderate or insignificant strength accompanies ARVI and other colds, and most often is a sign of bronchial asthma.
Discomfort in the throat can indicate the development of neoplasms in the throat or adjacent tissues, diphtheria - a very serious disease, panic attack and so on. Therefore, the concomitant symptoms, causes and treatment of suffocation in the neck and throat should be considered individually in each case.
Causes of discomfort
What are the causes of suffocation in the neck and throat? What to do? Many diseases and disorders can accompany a symptom, so only a doctor can accurately determine the diagnosis. It is necessary to immediately contact a general practitioner (general practitioner) in the clinic, who, if necessary, will refer the patient to narrow specialists.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of the medical history (if the patient has neurological disorders, then discomfort can often appear during a panic attack, so this option will be considered as the main one), complaints and the clinical picture, the results of additional examinations.
In the vast majority of cases, the cause of suffocation in the neck and throat is bronchial asthma - a fairly serious chronic disease, which is characterized by hyperactivity of the bronchi and obstruction of the respiratory tract. A moderate feeling of suffocation may occur with a cold. Such a symptom after recovery goes away on its own and does not require a separate treatment.
At any age, diphtheria can become the cause of this condition. The feeling of suffocation in the neck in this case is caused by the overlapping of the lumen of the respiratory tube with films. In the absence of medical care, this can provoke strangulation. An unpleasant feeling of discomfort can be a consequence of the development of a neoplasm that captures the throat itself or the nearest tissues and organs.
Significant discomfort appears when it gets into the throat when inhaling a foreign object. The patient feels suffocation, cramping, shortness of breath, severe pain. If it is impossible to independently extract a foreign body, it is necessary to provide medical assistance to the victim as soon as possible. Often a symptom occurs in neurological disorders.
In addition, a feeling of suffocation in the neck and throat may be a consequence of laryngeal edema, which is not an independent disease, but a symptom of some other pathology. The causes may be mechanical injuries, infectious diseases, severe chemical or thermal burns, allergens. Laryngeal edema develops with allergies in the form of anaphylactic shock.
Bronchial asthma
An attack of suffocation arising from irritation of the receptors by some non-allergic factor or when exposed to an allergen often accompanies bronchial asthma. The attack begins with a feeling of stuffiness in the nose, accompanied by a dry cough and heaviness in the chest. In the presence of any concomitant diseases, all symptoms occur and intensify gradually.
In general, an attack consists of three successive stages. The period of precursors begins a couple of hours or minutes before the attack, sometimes even a few days. This stage is characterized by sneezing and secretion of liquid secretion in large quantities, a feeling of dryness in the nasal cavity, itchy eyes, shortness of breath. Itchy skin may appear, accompanied by headache, indigestion, general weakness, and nausea.
The very sensation of suffocation in the neck and throat often does not allow the patient to breathe freely. Such an unpleasant feeling can occur suddenly, often in the middle of the night. In this case, the attack develops without a period of precursors. At the last stage, the patient is forced to take a position in which the feeling of lack of air is less of a concern to him. The attack gradually passes.
Several therapeutic methods are used: multilevel drug treatment, prevention of exacerbations (adherence to the regimen and diet, control of chronic diseases), rehabilitation of patients (strict adherence to the treatment plan, training the patient to control his condition). In most cases, the prognosis for the patient is favorable.
Respiratory viral diseases
A moderate sensation of suffocation in the neck and throat accompanies various colds. Influenza develops rapidly, and the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections increase gradually. The body temperature rises (with flu - up to 39 degrees, with acute respiratory viral infections is lower than 38.5), there is aches in the whole body, chills, runny nose, conjunctivitis, cough. A feeling of suffocation occurs due to swelling of the throat.
Medication indicated. The doctor will prescribe immunomodulating drugs, antipyretic, symptomatic drugs. The patient is shown a plentiful drink. This helps the body rid itself of toxins and makes up for fluid loss. Do not forget about folk remedies: tea with lemon and raspberries, honey and warm milk.
Diphtheria
Most often, the infection caused by Corynebacter is diagnosed in children, but can affect patients of any age. After infection, a film is formed that overlaps the respiratory system. This provokes oxygen starvation. Sputum is released during coughing. Untimely provision of qualified care can cause airway obstruction and lead to death.
Neoplasms
Cramping and strangulation can cause swelling in the larynx, which affects neighboring tissues. The patient is unable to take a full breath, panic and anxiety are increasing. To determine the correct diagnosis, it is necessary to consult a physician, because the prognosis directly depends on when adequate treatment was started.
The presence of a malignant neoplasm is accompanied by the following symptoms: swallowing disorders, a significant decrease in body weight, halitosis, hoarseness.
In most cases, the cause of the symptom is the occurrence of nodes or cysts of the thyroid gland, hypertrophy. Very often, such dangerous diseases do not appear for a long time, and patients learn about the terrible diagnosis only at the last stage. Therefore, periodic monitoring and diagnosis is so important.
Foreign body contact
Most often, this phenomenon affects young children when foreign objects get into the nasopharynx during a game. This can provoke a feeling of suffocation in the neck and throat. In this case, you must urgently call an ambulance. Parents should be alert for blue lips, salivation, cough with vomiting.
Neurological disorders
The causes of sensations and feelings of suffocation in the neck and throat can be various neurological disorders. Such a symptom is characteristic of panic attacks, depression, neurasthenia, hyperventilation syndrome. In such cases, the patient has a feeling of lack of air, dizziness, palpitations, numbness of the limbs, tinnitus and other symptoms. The sensation of suffocation itself lasts no more than 30 minutes, but the patient is very worried.
To provoke such an unpleasant phenomenon, emotional overstrain or stress is enough. At the same time, a person begins to breathe often, the frequency of contractions of the heart becomes more frequent, general weakness appears. Such attacks can occur not only in stressful situations, but also in a calm environment. If the cause of suffocation is a neurological disease, you should definitely visit a therapist, a neurologist, it is recommended to consult a psychiatrist.
As a symptom of laryngeal edema or allergies
The sensation of suffocation is a direct sign of laryngeal edema, which is not a separate disease, but a symptom of another pathology. The causes of edema can be infectious diseases, mechanical injuries and injuries, severe chemical and thermal burns, exposure to various kinds of allergens.
Edema often occurs with a severe allergic reaction that threatens life. In this state, it is difficult for the patient to breathe. An allergic reaction develops very quickly, so it is important to take a suitable antihistamine in time.
Regarding intoxication, concomitant symptoms are regular coughing, which often intensifies at night, sore throat and burning in the throat.
Treatment of suffocation in the neck
Therapy for a symptom varies significantly depending on which disease the patient has been diagnosed with. In the presence of a foreign body in the larynx, an emergency endoscopic intervention is performed, with allergies, the effect of an irritating factor on the body is excluded, antihistamines are prescribed, mucous membranes may need to be washed.
With diphtheria, treatment is carried out in a hospital, antibiotics are used. If a tumor is detected, then with a malignant neoplasm, radiation and chemotherapy are prescribed, surgical intervention is indicated. For thyroid diseases, an endocrinologist prescribes treatment.
To eliminate an unpleasant symptom, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive medical examination. It is very important to consult a doctor in time, it is necessary to exclude self-medication. Only a specialist will prescribe adequate therapy.