laryngospasm
Vocal cord cramp
Laryngospasm is a sudden, involuntary contraction of the vocal cords that temporarily blocks the airway.
It can occur during anesthesia, when water enters the larynx, or from acid reflux irritating the throat.
The spasm typically resolves within seconds but causes alarming breathlessness: The child's laryngospasm after nearly drowning terrified everyone at the pool.
Passage for breath
- chokingBlocked airway condition
- asphyxiationDeath from oxygen loss
- 911Crisis response number
- paramedicsEmergency medical technicians
ambulance · life-threatening · crisis · intubation · oxygen · ventilation · ER · ICU
Not under conscious control
- gaggingReflex throat constriction
- coughingForceful air expulsion reflex
- gaspingBreathing in sharp gulps
- stridorTurbulent airway noise
apnea · breathlessness · hypoxia · bronchospasm · dyspnea · wheezing · aspiration · extubation
Turbulent airway noise
- voicelessnessLack of spoken sound
- aphoniaInability to vocalize
- hoarsenessRough, scratchy voice quality
- dyspneaLabored respiration condition
Induced loss of feeling
- intubationPlacing airway tube
- extubationRemoval of breathing tube
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- GERDChronic digestive disorder
irritants · secretions · smoke · hypocalcemia · anxiety · swimming
Windpipe-covering throat cartilage
Reduction in size
- muscleContractile body tissue
- crampPainful muscle seizure
- convulsionSudden involuntary muscle contractions
- tighteningMaking less loose
constriction · closure · adduction · rigidity · muscular · tetany
airway
Passage for breath
- chokingBlocked airway condition
- asphyxiationDeath from oxygen loss
- 911Crisis response number
paramedics · ambulance · life-threatening · crisis · intubation · oxygen · ventilation · ER · ICU · tracheostomy
involuntary
Not under conscious control
- gaggingReflex throat constriction
- coughingForceful air expulsion reflex
- gaspingBreathing in sharp gulps
stridor · apnea · breathlessness · hypoxia · bronchospasm · dyspnea · wheezing · aspiration · extubation · breath-holding
stridor
Turbulent airway noise
- voicelessnessLack of spoken sound
- aphoniaInability to vocalize
- hoarsenessRough, scratchy voice quality
anesthesia
Induced loss of feeling
- intubationPlacing airway tube
- extubationRemoval of breathing tube
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
GERD · irritants · secretions · smoke · hypocalcemia · anxiety · swimming
epiglottis
Windpipe-covering throat cartilage
contraction
Reduction in size
- muscleContractile body tissue
- crampPainful muscle seizure
- convulsionSudden involuntary muscle contractions
tightening · constriction · closure · adduction · rigidity · muscular · tetany
spasm, spasmodic, larynx, pharynx, laryngitis, spasmodically, spastic, spasticity, laryngeal