About Airway Obstruction
Key Highlights
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Rapid assessment and intervention to restore normal breathing and oxygenation.Comprehensive management by a specialist who understands the patient's overall medical history.Tailored treatment approach based on the specific cause of the obstruction (e.g., inflammation, infection, foreign body).Can often prevent the need for more invasive surgical procedures through timely medical management.Coordination with other specialists (e.g., pulmonology, critical care) for complex cases ensures comprehensive care.
Who is this surgery for?
- Acute shortness of breath (dyspnea) or difficulty breathing.
- Stridor (high-pitched breathing sound) or wheezing indicating narrowed airways.
- Suspected severe asthma exacerbation or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) flare-up.
- Anaphylactic reaction causing throat or tongue swelling (angioedema).
- Aspiration of a foreign object or excessive mucus/secretions blocking airways.
- Severe respiratory infections like epiglottitis, croup, or pneumonia causing inflammation.
- Tumors or growths in the airway causing progressive obstruction.
How to prepare
- Immediate assessment of vital signs, especially oxygen saturation and respiratory rate.
- Rapid history-taking to identify potential causes (allergies, recent illness, choking episode).
- Preparation of emergency airway equipment (bag-valve-mask, suction, intubation tools) at bedside.
- Establishing intravenous (IV) access for administration of medications like steroids, epinephrine, or bronchodilators.
- Ordering urgent diagnostic tests such as chest X-ray, arterial blood gas (ABG), or CT scan if stable.
- Informing and preparing the patient (if conscious) for possible procedures like bronchoscopy.
Risks & possible complications
- Hypoxia (low blood oxygen) or respiratory failure if obstruction is not relieved promptly.
- Complications from medications, such as tachycardia from bronchodilators or hyperglycemia from steroids.
- Injury to the airway during invasive procedures like bronchoscopy (e.g., bleeding, perforation).
- Infection, especially post-procedure.
- Cardiac stress or arrhythmias due to severe respiratory distress.
- Need for escalation to mechanical ventilation or tracheostomy in severe cases.
- Recurrence of obstruction if the underlying cause is not fully treated.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Close monitoring in a hospital setting (often in an emergency department or ICU) until breathing is stable.
- Continued oxygen therapy and respiratory treatments (nebulizers) as needed.
- Medication regimen to treat the underlying cause (e.g., antibiotics, continued steroids).
- Follow-up with the internist or a pulmonologist to manage chronic conditions like asthma or COPD.
- Lifestyle and environmental modifications to avoid triggers (allergens, smoke).
- Education on recognizing early signs of recurrence and when to seek immediate medical help.
- Possible pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with chronic lung disease to improve function.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-7 days
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Expected recovery time: 1-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering airway obstruction in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for airway obstruction in India include Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, KMC Hospital Mangalore, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform airway obstruction. MediFyr helps you compare internal medicine specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for airway obstruction compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Airway Obstruction in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated internal medicine teams and experience managing patients undergoing airway obstruction.
Sai Malhotra, a 68-year-old retired history...
Sai Malhotra, a 68-year-old retired history professor, had been managing mild asthma for years. A lifelong non-smoker, he developed a persistent, worsening cough over six months, accompanied by increasing shortness of breath, especially when walking his dog. His inhaler became less effective. After a severe episode where he struggled to catch his breath at rest, his primary care doctor ordered a CT scan, which revealed a significant narrowing in his left main bronchus. The pulmonologist recommended a bronchoscopy to diagnose and potentially treat the obstruction. During the procedure, a benign inflammatory polyp was found and successfully removed with a laser. The recovery involved overnight observation and some throat soreness. Path results confirmed it was non-cancerous. Emotionally, Sai was terrified by the feeling of suffocation and feared lung cancer. After the procedure, he felt profound relief, his breathing improved dramatically, and he was deeply grateful for the clear diagnosis and effective treatment, allowing him to return to his peaceful retirement.
Internal Medicine Specialists for Airway Obstruction
Explore experienced internal medicine specialists who regularly perform airway obstruction and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 41 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 22 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 32 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 14 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 13 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 9 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 43 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 36 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 21 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 15 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore