What is a sign of severe airway obstruction?

A key sign of severe airway obstruction is the inability to speak or only being able to produce a weak, croaky cough. This is because the severely narrowed airway restricts airflow necessary for vocalization. Other significant signs include:

• Stridor: A high-pitched, wheezing sound during breathing, often heard without a stethoscope, indicating turbulent airflow through a narrowed airway.
• Agitation and anxiety: The body's desperate response to lack of oxygen.
• Cyanosis: Bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, and nail beds due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.
• Loss of consciousness: Occurs when the brain is deprived of sufficient oxygen.
• Use of accessory muscles: The person may be using muscles in their neck and chest to try and breathe, indicating increased effort to breathe. This might manifest as retractions (visible sucking in of the skin around the ribs and collarbone during inhalation).

It's crucial to understand that these signs can develop rapidly and represent a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical attention. Do not hesitate to call emergency services (911 in the US, 999 in the UK, etc.) if you or someone else exhibits these symptoms.