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Warning-sign checks

Tracheomalacia - acquired: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help if you:

    • Are struggling to breathe or cannot speak in full phrases
    • Develop blue or gray lips, skin, or fingertips
    • Become confused, very drowsy, or difficult to wake
    • Have sudden severe breathlessness or a feeling that the airway is blocked
    • Cannot clear mucus and your breathing is rapidly worsening
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your healthcare team promptly if your usual symptoms are worsening, you develop fever with increased or discoloured mucus, or your CPAP or airway-clearance plan is no longer working well.

    Coughing up blood also needs prompt medical assessment.

    These signs may reflect serious airway obstruction, low oxygen, or another urgent breathing problem.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if you have an ongoing harsh cough, unexplained noisy breathing, difficulty clearing mucus, or repeated chest infections.

    These symptoms have many possible causes and need proper assessment rather than self-diagnosis.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Tracheomalacia - acquired. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.