There are approximately 20’000 strangulation victims each year in the UK
- 1:11 sexual assault victims
- Strangulation/Hanging/Suffocation are the most common suicide method in Wales and England
There are 4 main methods:
- Manual strangulation is used to describe the application of pressure to the neck using the hands.
- Chokehold or head lock – where the external pressure is applied by an arm around the neck.
- Ligature e.g. a scarf or belt tightened around the neck.
- Hanging.
Immediate and significant effects
- Obstruction of the arteries leads to hypoxia
- Obstruction of the veins can lead to increased cerebral blood pressure and ‘stagnant hypoxia’
- Obstruction of the trachea causes hypoxia and hypercapnia
- Damage to the spinal column, and in turn to the cord and nerves
- Rarely, a cardiac dysrhythmia due to pressure on the carotid body (node)
- Damage to the intima of the blood vessels leading to thrombus or dissection
NOTE: Carotid artery dissection can occur despite lack of external injury. Hence the guidance has a low threshold for CT imaging.
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