[1][page needed] Airway obstruction is a life-threatening condition and requires urgent attention.

Acute causes of upper airway obstruction include foreign body aspiration, blunt trauma to the neck, infection, and swelling due to allergies or other inflammatory conditions.

[3] If there is total obstruction, severe respiratory distress or cyanosis due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen in the blood) can occur.

[1] Imaging studies, including x-rays and CT scans, can aid diagnosis and quickly assess the obstruction's extent.

[2][6] Infections typically cause obstruction by swelling and are usually treated with antibiotics or corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.

[2] Chronic conditions, like vocal cord paralysis and sleep apnea,[7] may need ongoing care.

Untreated or prolonged upper airway obstruction can cause severe, life-threatening complications.

This typically occurs due to constriction and inflammation of the bronchioles that reduces the air inhaled in each breath.

[11] Spirometry that measures the FEV1/FVC ratio, is the gold standard for diagnosing lower airway obstruction.