Understanding Why He Died from Roaches and Worms (YUCK!)
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So, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, " A Florida man choked to death after downing dozens of live roaches to win a contest earlier this year in which the grand prize was a python, according to an autopsy released Monday. Edward Archbold, 32, of West Palm Beach died as a result of "asphyxia due to choking and aspiration of gastric contents," according to the report released by the Broward County medical examiner's office. It said his airway was obstructed by the roach body parts, which caused him to not be able to breathe. "There is a flap called the epiglottis that is supposed to stop objects from going into the lungs," medical examiner Craig T. Mallak wrote in an email to the AP. "Unfortunately, it doesn't always work. In the video you could see him trying to swallow and breathe at the same time. We can't do both simultaneously."
Well, when I read this article, I thought maybe the roaches and worms (yuck) had some type of diseases or toxins that killed him. Today, I realized he died from something that happens to a lot of people everyday. The article states that he died of "asphyxia due to choking and aspiration of gastric contents". However, what does this mean in ENGLISH?! Lets define the terms:
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In EnglishWhen Archbold tried to puke the roaches & worms up, it when down the wrong pipe. He stopped breathing and died. Now before you say, "OH, he so stupid." I want you realize something. This can happen to people eating regular food. This can happen when you have had too much alcohol to drink and vomit in your sleep. It can also happen when you have a bad episode of GERD in your sleep.
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You have two pipes in your throat; one is the esophagus. This tube leads the food from your mouth to your stomach. If you have to puke, it reverses and comes back up this same tube.
GERD is also a serious condition that will allow gastric juices to back up in the esophagus when you are asleep. This is not only painful but can lead to more serious problems!
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Anatomy 101In the middle there is a flap called the Epiglottis. This flap stops food meant for the esophagus from traveling into the trachea. See the video below:
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The other tube is the windpipe (trachea), which leads the air from your nose down to your lungs. This tube plays a major role in your everyday breathing. If it is crushed or blocked, you are in serious trouble!!!!
If gastric juices are allowed into your lungs, you can suffocate or get something called aspiration pneumonia which is EXTREMELY hard to cure.
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