drowning

drowning /drown·ing/ (droun´ing) suffocation and death resulting from filling of the lungs with water or other substance.

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drowning

Etymology: ME, drounen

asphyxiation caused by submersion in a liquid. See also near drowning.

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drowning,

n asphyxiation because of submersion in a liquid.

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drowning

death from suffocation resulting from aspiration of water or other substance or fluid. Drowning occurs because the liquid prevents breathing.

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dry-drowning

asphyxiation, but with little or no inhalation of water as a result of persistent laryngospasm.

near-drowning

see near-drowning.

secondary drowning

pulmonary edema may occur some time after a near-drowning due to loss of surfactant.

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drowning

Public health A mechanism of death that claims 7000 lives/yr–US, comprising 15% of non-MVA deaths; death is by asphyxia due to submersion, with aspiration of fluid; 90% of decedents were hypoxic. See Fresh water drowning, Salt water drowning, Wet drowning.

Drowning

Fresh water drowning Hypoosmolar water affects the surface tension of alveolar surfactant, causing an imbalance in the V/Q ratio with a collapse of some alveoli, resulting in both true (absolute) and relative intrapulmonary shunting; the V/Q abnormality is further compromised by pulmonary edema; the shifts of fluids and electrolytes in fresh water drowning result in hemodilution, hemolysis, circulatory overload, and hyponatremia

Salt water drowning Sea water aspiration results in fluid-filled but perfused alveoli, accompanied by a V/Q abnormality due to pulmonary edema; the shifts of fluids and electrolytes in salt water drowning result in hemoconcentration, CHF, and hypernatremia