What is the difference between suffocation and asphyxiation

It only takes a minute to sign up. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. There was a lot of news about a fire in a nightclub in southern Brazil, where people were killed. However, as I checked the origins of both words, they are different. Why did they use different words for the cause of deaths in the same incident?

This is historical though. Etymology can often give us insights into a word, but can also lead us astray. While it's less likely to use the term for a brief incident that wasn't fatal, the use doesn't relate to the heart or pulse at all.

The same in meaning, different in nuance. If it's technically correct to use one, it's technically correct to use the other, but there are times when one is more likely than the other including a few where it's technically incorrect! The biggest difference is that because native speakers tend to learn the word suffocation at a younger age than asphyxiation , and because it's been in the language longer, it's more common in less formal registers.

Suffocation would still be found in formal speech, but someone might deliberately choose asphyxiation to affect a more educated tone "Look at me, I know big words like asphyxiation!

There are causes of asphyxiation for which while we may use suffocation , we are less likely to; drowning , hanging , strangulation. In these cases we're more likely to use the specific word.

Note, this doesn't make us more or less likely to use asphyxiation - it just adds another common word that we might use where we would otherwise decide to favour suffocate over asphyxiation ; so rather than choosing between asphyxiation and suffocation we're choosing between asphyxiation and drowning. While the above are causes of asphyxia that are less often called suffocation , smothering by covering the mouth and nose is very often referred to as suffocation.

Chest compression that blocks the lungs from functioning is also quite often called suffocation , especially in crowd disasters we don't have a single non-technical term for it , and since burking the murder method of choice for someone planning to sell the body to an 19th Century Scottish anatomy lecturer combines both, it would also be very often covered by suffocation more so than burking , which is not a well-known word.

We're also very likely to use suffocation when it was caused by fumes or gasses blocking oxygen from the lungs as happens with smoke in fires. This was the case in the reports you mentioned, and as you noted some went with suffocated and some with asphyxiation.

Hanging and strangulation can cause injury or death not just by asphyxiation, but by blocking carotid arteries and jugular veins which cuts off the supply of oxygen to the brain, but not to the body and so is not asphyxiation. Learn more. Dry drowning is an outdated term. It refers to breathing problems that result when liquid causes the voice box to spasm. The condition can be…. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that requires urgent medical attention.

Here, learn to recognize the symptoms and what to do next. Anoxia occurs when a person's body or brain stops getting oxygen.

Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and types in this article. Asthma attacks can be frightening, especially if a person is unprepared. Beyond medication, what can help? We discuss what to do when an attack hits…. What to know about asphyxiation.

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Definition Causes Symptoms Treatment Prevention Risk factors Asphyxiation and childbirth Autoerotic asphyxiation Summary Asphyxiation occurs when the body does not get enough oxygen. What is asphyxiation? Risk factors. Asphyxiation during childbirth. Autoerotic asphyxiation.

Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? These acts are usually done alone. Practicing caution is the best way to prevent asphyxiation. But the exact steps for preparedness depend on the specific cause.

Never swim while using alcohol or drugs. Always supervise babies or young children near water. This includes babies in the bathtub or sink. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Replace the batteries regularly. Never use a gasoline or charcoal-burning appliance in your home or in the garage.

Avoid letting your car run in the garage. Get your gas, coal, or oil-burning appliances inspected each year.

Double-check the ingredients when eating at restaurants. Keep an EpiPen on hand and make sure others know where to find it. If you have asthma, work with your doctor to develop an asthma management plan.

Carry your inhaler with you at all times. Avoid your known asthma triggers. Always supervise young children during mealtimes. Make sure they sit up straight and cut their food into tiny pieces. Keep small objects, like household items and toys, out of their reach. Learning self-defense techniques can help you prevent strangulation. When dressing babies or young children, be mindful of drawstrings around the neck. Avoid letting them play with ribbon, cord, or strings.

Keep their sleeping area free of soft and loose materials. If another person is having a seizure, loosen any accessories around their neck. Clear the area and make sure there are no heavy objects nearby.

If you think someone is experiencing a drug overdose, call immediately. Avoid leaving the person alone. Asphyxiation is caused by lack of oxygen. It can quickly lead to loss of consciousness, brain injury, or death. Am J Phys. Byard RW. Commentary on: Sauvageau A, Boghossian E. Classification of asphyxia: the need for standardization. Sauvageau A, Boghossian E.

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