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What is Agonal Breathing?

What is Agonal Breathing?

What is Agonal Breathing?

The victim exhibits several signs when dealing with a severe medical emergency, including agonal breathing. This is a distinctive type of respiration that prompts professional medical care, or you risk the patient's life. Most people in an emergency lack the knowledge and expertise needed to provide emergency care or detect severe signs of deterioration like agonal breathing. That's why Quick CPR offers individuals of all ages an opportunity to acquire a CPR certification and gain life-saving skills. Our experts customize CPR classes to suit various learners to address their needs better and enhance their learning experience.

Symptoms of Agonal Breathing

Most people who lack CPR or first aid training tend to miss various signs that can be used to assess the severity of damage to the victim. Since agonal breathing is not similar to normal breathing, you can't forget it after seeing a victim show signs. This type of breathing usually comprises gasping accompanied by moans, snorts, or other strange vocalizations.

Agonal breathing can last for a few breaths or go on for hours, hence the importance of familiarizing yourself with the symptoms to provide the appropriate care. The symptoms of agonal breathing vary depending on the cause, but general signs include; labored breathing, gasping, twitching muscles or seizures, moaning, and snorting. It is common for victims undergoing agonal breathing to become unconscious as the breathing grows further apart.

What Causes Agonal Breathing

Agonal breathing differs from normal breathing since it is caused by a brain stem reflex that occurs when there's insufficient oxygen in the blood, which is usually a problem associated with the heart. Several medical emergencies can lead to agonal breathing, like Anoxia, drug overdose, hemorrhagic stroke, cardiac arrest, and Ischemic stroke.

If you live or work with an individual suffering from any of these conditions, it might be time you consider signing up for CPR classes. Quick CPR can help you gain the skills and knowledge to confidently address any medical emergency, saving a life before the condition worsens.

Agonal Breathing During Cardiac Arrest

Out of all the medical conditions that can cause agonal breathing, cardiac arrest is the most common medical emergency. With most cardiac arrest emergencies occurring outside a hospital setting, it is advisable to equip yourself with the skills to help a victim experiencing a cardiac arrest. If you are ever in a situation where you need to administer CPR to a cardiac arrest victim, you'll encounter agonal breathing.

The reality is that a person with CPR training is likely to provide life-saving emergency care compared to a bystander who isn't trained. During our CPR classes, we take the time to ensure that all the bases are covered so that you can assess the situation before proceeding with CPR or first aid. Agonal breathing is a symptom that needs to be addressed early before it becomes more severe, compromising the victim's condition. Contact us today at Quick CPR and enroll for customized CPR classes with a team of professionals by your side.