The constriction, usually by twisting or compression, of a tube or passage in the body, blocking blood flow and interfering with the function of the affected organ. Strangulation may occur with a hernia, for example.
Strangulation of the neck causes compression of the jugular veins, preventing blood from flowing out of the brain, and compression of the windpipe, which restricts breathing. The victim loses consciousness, and brain damage and death from lack of oxygen follow.
The constriction of a passage or tube in the body that blocks the blood ?ow and disturbs the working of the affected organ. It is usually caused by compression or twisting. Strangulation customarily occurs when part of the INTESTINE herniates either inside the abdomen or outside as in an inguinal HERNIA. If a section of the intestine twists, this may strangulate and is known as a VOLVULUS.
Strangulation of a person’s neck, either with a ligature or with the hands, obstructs the jugular veins in the neck, preventing the normal out?ow of blood from the brain and head. The TRACHEA is also compressed, cutting o? the supply of air to the lungs. The combination of these effects leads to HYPOXIA and damage to the brain. If not quickly relieved, unconsciousness and death follow. Strangulation may be deliberate or accidental – the latter being a particular hazard for children, for example, when playing with a rope. Removal of the constriction, arti?cial respiration, and medical attention are urgently necessary.
n. the closure of a passage, such as the main airway to the lungs (resulting in the cessation of breathing), a blood vessel, or the gastrointestinal tract.
The protrusion of an organ, or part of an organ, through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. The most common types of hernia involve the organs of the abdomen which can herniate externally through the abdominal wall, or internally usually through a defect in the diaphragm. External hernias appear as a swelling, covered with skin, which bulges out on coughing or straining but which can normally be made to disappear with gentle pressure.
Types Inguinal hernia appears in the groin; less common is femoral hernia, which appears just below the groin. Incisional hernia may occur through a defect in any abdominal surgical scar, a paraumbilical hernia arising just to the side of the umbilicus and an epigastric hernia in the mid line above the umbilicus. In children, herniation may occur through the umbilicus itself, which is a natural weak spot. The commonest internal hernia is a hiatus hernia, when part of the stomach slips upwards into the chest through the DIAPHRAGM (see diagram).
Site of inguinal hernia (shaded).
Causes Hernias may be due to a defect present at birth (congenital), or may develop later in life (acquired). Acquired hernias arise due to the development of a defect or injury of the abdominal wall or due to increased pressure within the abdominal cavity, which forces the organ through a potential weakness. Such causes include chronic coughing or excessive straining due to constipation.
Complications Small hernias may cause no problems at all. However, some may be large and cumbersome, or may give rise to a dragging sensation or even pain.
Although most reduce spontaneously under the effects of gravity or gentle pressure, any organs that may have been displaced inside some hernias may become stuck, when they are said to be irreducible. If the contents become so trapped that their blood supply is cut o?, then strangulation occurs. This is a surgical emergency because the strangulated organs will soon die or rupture. When strangulation – usually of a loop of intestine – does occur, the hernia becomes irreducible, red, and very painful. If the hernia contains bowel, then the bowel may also become obstructed.
Treatment Conservative treatment with a compression belt, or truss, is now used only for those un?t for surgery or while awaiting surgery. Surgical repair can be at an open operation or by laparoscope, and consists of returning the herniated organs to their proper place and then repairing the defect through which the hernia occurred. This may be done safely under local or general anaesthetic, often as a day-case procedure, and most operative repairs result in a permanent cure.... hernia
Wall. ex Nees
Family: Acanthaceae.
Habitat: Throughout India, from Himachal Pradesh to Assam and Mizoram, and all over southern India.
English: Creat.
Ayurvedic: Kaalmegha, Bhuunimba, Bhuuminimbaka, Vishwambharaa, Yavtikta, Kalpanaatha, Kiraata-tikta (var.).
Unani: Kiryaat.
Siddha/Tamil: Nilavembu.
Action: Hepatoprotective, cholin- ergic, antispasmodic, stomachic, anthelmintic, alterative, blood purifier, febrifuge. It acts well on the liver, promoting secretion of bile. Used in jaundice and torpid liver, flatulence and diarrhoea of children, colic, strangulation of intestines and splenomegaly; also for cold and upper respiratory tract infections.
Key application: As bitter tonic, febrifuge and hepatoprotective. (Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)Kaalmegha, officinal in IP, consists of dried leaves and tender shoots, which yield not less than 1% andro- grapholide on dry-weight basis.Several active constituents have been identified from the leaf and rhizome, including andrographolide, deoxyan- drographolide and other diterpenes.Andrographolide exhibited strong choleretic action when administered i.p. to rats. It induces increase in bile flow together with change in physical properties of bile secretion. It was found to be more potent than sily- marin.Andrographolide was found to be almost devoid of antihepatitis-B virus surface antigen-like activity (when compared with picroliv.)The leaf and stem extracts of Kaal- megha/andrographolide given s.c. or orally did not change blood sugar level of normal or diabetic rats.Alcoholic extract of the plant exhibited antidiarrhoeal activity against E. coli enterotoxins in animal models.Clinical evidence of effectiveness of andrographis in humans is limited to the common cold. Preliminary evidence suggests that it might increase antibody activity and phagocytosis by macrophages, and might have mast cell-stabilizing and antiallergy activity. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)The herb is contraindicated inbleed- ing disorders, hypotension, as well as male and female sterility (exhibited infertility in laboratory animals).
Dosage: Whole plant—5-10 ml juice; 50-100 ml decotion; 1-3 g powder. (CCRAS.)... andrographis panicultata
Small red MACULES due to haemorrhage in the skin. They may be caused by trauma – such as by tight pressure, as in strangulation – or even by the e?ect of violent coughing. Bleeding and clotting disorders may provoke petechiae, and they are a feature of many childhood viral infections. Most importantly they may be a sign of SEPTICAEMIA due to a meningococcus (see NEISSERIACEAE).... petechiae
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