Diseases, Conditions & Concerns / Question
Published: June 3, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Can you die when air enters your bloodstream? Why?
Signed: Die When Air Enters Your Bloodstream
Dear Die When Air Enters Your Bloodstream,
When air enters the bloodstream it is called an air embolus. This happens very rarely, and can often be treated, although death is possible in some cases. Any type of material in your bloodstream that should not be there is called an embolus. An embolus can be caused by air, tissue, fat, bone marrow, or most commonly a blood clot. An air embolus occurs when a bubble of gas or air circulates freely through the vessels until it reaches one so small that it cannot go further. An embolus in one of the vessels leading to the lungs, brain, or heart, if large enough, can be fatal; in an arm or leg it may lead to gangrene (death of tissue) and, ultimately, the need for amputation. Medications can be used to dilate the vessels so the embolus can pass through all of the vessels.
This condition may occur in divers who have breathed high-pressure air at a depth and who then surface without allowing the expanding air to escape freely. This can happen if divers run out of air and hold their breath while coming to the surface. The air in the lungs expands and can enter the veins that carry blood back to the heart. From there it is pumped to the brain and elsewhere.
Other circumstance you hear this in include healthcare professionals who, prior to giving an injection, ensure that all the air has escaped from the needle so that they do not inject air into the body. Also, sometimes people are told not to forcefully blow into the vagina for fear that this may cause an air embolism. There is some research that shows that this can in fact be dangerous during pregnancy when the air can pass through the fetal membranes and into the circulation of the fetus. Again, this is a very rare occurrence.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
It is estimated that major depressive disorder (MDD) affects about 5% of adolescents, and that between 10 - 15% of adolescents have some symptoms of depression at any one time.
