Abdominal thrusts
Abdominal Thrusts
Abdominal thrusts (pronounced: ab-doh-muh-nl thruhsts), also known as the Heimlich maneuver, is a first aid procedure used to treat upper airway obstructions (or choking) by foreign objects. The term "abdominal thrusts" is recommended by the American Heart Association as the most descriptive term for the procedure.
Etymology
The term "abdominal thrusts" is derived from the Latin words 'abdomen' meaning 'belly' and 'thrust' meaning 'to push suddenly or violently'. The procedure was named after Dr. Henry Heimlich, who first described it in 1974.
Procedure
The procedure involves standing behind the person and using one's hands to exert pressure on the bottom of the diaphragm. This compresses the lungs and exerts pressure on any object lodged in the trachea, hopefully expelling it. This procedure is repeated until the object is expelled from the airway or the person becomes unconscious.
Related Terms
- Choking: The mechanical obstruction of the flow of air from the environment into the lungs.
- Heimlich maneuver: Another name for abdominal thrusts, named after Dr. Henry Heimlich.
- First Aid: The immediate assistance given to any person suffering a serious illness or injury.
- Airway obstruction: A blockage of the airway which can be caused by food, a toy, or swelling of the mouth or throat.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Abdominal thrusts
- Wikipedia's article - Abdominal thrusts
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