smoke inhalation?

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in smoke inhalation does respiratory arrest precede cardiac arrest or vice versa? Are bradycardias or ventricular dysrhythmias(v-fib) the initial rhythms of cardiac arrest in such a situation?
Inhalation injury from fires can affect the respiratory system in several ways. First, smoke contains particles, many of which may be airway irritants. Second, burned material may release noxious gases, many which are poisonous (such as carbon monoxide or cyanide). Third, many gases or particles are directly toxic to the airways or the human body when absorbed through the lungs. Fourth, fires consume oxygen. Thus, the percentage of oxygen available to breathe decreases over time. This may lead to hypoxia. Fifth, inhaling smoke may result in thermal burns along the airway, leading to swelling, inflammation, and possible airway closure.

If airway injury is the main injury, the patient may suffer respiratory failure. Ultimately, this will result in hypoxia. One of the first bodily responses to hypoxia is to increase the cardiac output and increase the heart rate. These tachycardias may include sinus tachycardia, v-tach, a-fib, or more. One possibility is that these rhythms degenerate into v-fib and asystole. Another possibility is that continued hypoxia results in cardiac injury and bradycardia. Bradycardia may degenerate into PEA (pulseless electrical activity) and finally, asystole.  (+ info)

Smoke inhalation?

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A ton of leaves and dry grass started on fire in my yard today. It was so bad that we had to call the fire department. I inhaled one full breath of white smoke. There were no ambulances here and it was just a brush fire. Should I be checked for smoke inhalation? I am coughing and my chest hurts, but I know I've not had a lot to drink today and my chest could hurt from the running and being terrified. Do you think a hospital visit is necessary knowing that the smoke probably wasn't toxic and I only had one breath of it before I got away?

I'm a hypochondriac, hence the question :)
You should be OK but if you are super worried, call your health insurance nurse line or your local trauma hospital nurse line. They can evaluate you right on the phone as well as tell you what sorts of things you should do to get yourself feeling better.

I would definately get a huge glass of water and start catching up with your water consumption. Being both dehydrated and smoked is for anchovies, not for people!  (+ info)

What are the long term symptoms of Smoke Inhalation after a House Fire? Could they totally lose their Voice?

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I need to know what the long term symptoms of Smoke Inhalation are. Not short term, i have a pretty good idea of what the short term are. The long term symptoms, say after a couple of years at least, are what i want to find out. I also would like to know if someone could become mute as a result of this. websites would be helpful and sources much appreciated .
Although the outcome depends of the severity of the smoke inhalation with prompt medical treatment, the prognosis for recovery is good. However, some people may experience chronic pulmonary problems following smoke inhalation, and those with asthma or other chronic respiratory conditions prior to smoke inhalation may find their original conditions have been aggravated by the inhalation injury.
Apparently it can cause damage lasting for 2 years, but does not mention anyone becoming mute.
Could that be psychological after the horror of being in a fire?

You will have to read through the report of studies on the Kings cross fire victime, there are pages of it.
The first link goes to the 2 year study
Second link = the start of the report  (+ info)

What are the physiological processes that occur when you burn to death? (Not smoke inhalation)?

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I'm studying acting and one of our tasks this year is to enact our own death. I've chosen to burn to death but I need to know what happens to the body when you actually burn. Like at the stake, or when you are set on fire. Suffocation from smoke inhalation doesn't really work for the concept. If anyone know about this admittedly morbid question please let me know.
Ouch! That's gonna' be a painful way down!!

Anyways, in context to a prisoner being executed, "...the convict would burn for some time until death from heatstroke and loss of blood plasma." It doesn't occur instantly and takes a while to probably evaporate some of the water content in your body to reach full blazing temperature. And it'll hurt like f**king hell during this period.  (+ info)

How does the lungs clear-up from smoke-inhalation? My 10 yrs old had it bad from a house fire?

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12/26/06, my 10 yrs old was in ICU with smoke inhalation damage from a house fire. She was in the hospital for one month and released on 1/26/07. She is on an inhaler now. If the doctors said her lungs were BLACK and she was critical, how does the lungs clear itself up? She seems fine now and for this I am grateful. Any advice is appreciated!
i am just looking for some understanding of the process. i saw her x-rays and it looked like cigarette burns on the inside of her lungs. How does THE BODY heal itself. thanks for any input and insight.
In my COPD training they said the lungs never heal

Coughing up phlegm is about the only way the lungs clean some of the crap in there  (+ info)

Does anyone know if 2nd hand cigarette smoke inhalation has any affect on breast milk ?

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I'd like to go out clubbing one of these days but am still b-feeding. With all the cigarette smoke that I will be surrounded will any of it have an affect on my breast milk ?
Highly unlikely. Even the studies regarding whether it's harmful to anyone are pretty questionable.  (+ info)

what is the best way to minimize second-hand smoke inhalation?

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i live at home with my parents who both smoke a lot. i try to get them to stop when i'm in the room but i know how bad second hand smoke is. i won't be going off to college next year but the year after (fall 2010). i don't have the option of moving out & they won't quit smoking. is there anything i can do to minimize the health problems? they have smoked around me since i was born & i am fairly sensitive to it.
Try to avoid direct contact while they´r smoking, and practice an aerobic exercises on open air if its possible on a daily basis, this will certainly clean up your lungs and bring you more oxygen than tar, good luck  (+ info)

If i was in a fire a week ago and my chest hurts could i have smoke inhalation?

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I was home alone sleeping about a week ago and there was a fire who knows how long it slept in it but my asthma woke me up. My chest has constantly been hurting since and i have been coughing horribly. My asthma is going nuts as well.
Could i have smoke inhalation even though it's been a week?
And if so what do i do for it?
give it time and rest.  (+ info)

Respiratory care: inhalation injury deaths in burn patients?

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What percentage of burn patients die of their inhalation injuries? What are the clues of thermal injury to the oropharynx? When should you consider tracheal intubation in a burn patient? What sort of changes in pulmonary artery pressure, PCWP, and PVR are possible in a burn patient?
This is not your standard question for this section. Of course i know what you're talking about but if you know the "lingo", so to speak, why aren't you looking it up yourself?
But anyway, I don't know the percentage but it would depend on the extent of the pharyngeal, laryngeal and tracheal burns and consequent swelling. You must get the pt intubated as soon as you see any signs of pharyngeal burns, no matter how slight they may seem. And each individual is different, you might have to trach them right away if the upper resp. burns are severe And even then it going to be difficult to maintain an airway. Once you have the airway established though further consideration must be given to the extent and depth of the burns on the body. Fluid balance is of course going to be an issue. If possible you could insert a Schwann-Ganz catheter and monitor CVP. PCWP could be done once to rule out any cardiac complications. Of course mechanical ventilation, an A-line and aggressive pharyngeal care would be needed. If you're thinking that the PVR might be elevated it is unlikely if the patient made it to the ER they don't have extensive enough pulmonary burns. Now with massive fluid replacement comes the likelihood of ARDS but that's not likely for 12-24 hours depending again on the extent of the burns, which you don't say. That's when you should start measuring PCWP and assessing the ABG's for signs of increased A-a gradient and doing plateau pressures.
Ok, I think I covered your questions.
God bless.  (+ info)

When I smoke for the first time, can I prevent coughing on the first inhalation?

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My friends smoke and next time we're out I might try it. Yes I know it's unhealthy la la la, I get it. But I'm scared that the first time I inhale I will have like a coughing fit or something! How do you prevent the coughing?
Do yourself a very big favor and forget about smoking, it is for losers who are easily led, and believe me it is far easier to start smoking than to try and give it up years down the track when emphysema start and you get sick of nicotine stained fingers and realize all the things that you could have done with the money that was spent on tobacco.
If the tobacco companies still can convince young people that they should buy tobacco and smoke, then they are either very shrewd marketeers or alternatively the young people are so "not smart" to take up this very addictive, expensive and unhealthy habit. One thing is for sure if you get sucked in and start smoking the day will come when you will very much regret it.  (+ info)

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