• Skip to main content

International Medical Clinic (IMC)

International Medical Clinic (IMC) specialises in family, paediatric and travel medicine. IMC has provided medical care in Singapore for over 17 years and is the first choice medical provider for the international community.

  • About
    • About Us
    • Health Guide 2022
    • Having a baby in Singapore
    • Our Friends
    • News
    • Social Responsibility
    • FAQs
  • Services
    • Health Screening Singapore
    • Skin Prick Allergy Testing
    • Adolescent Screening
    • Contraception
    • IV Iron Infusion
    • Telemedicine
    • Targeted Medicals
    • Forms
    • Offshore Medical Assessments
    • Travel Medication Kits
  • Doctors
  • Patients
    • Our Patients
    • Register
    • Insurance
  • Careers
    • Who we are
    • Careers at IMC
    • Join Our Team
  • Contact Us
    • IMC Children’s
    • IMC Jelita
    • IMC Katong
    • IMC Camden
  • Covid-19
    • Covid-19 Testing
    • Registration of Overseas Covid-19 Vaccination
    • Sinopharm Covid-19 Vaccination Request
    • FAQs – Pre-Departure Covid Test
  • Appointments
    • 65 6733 4440
      Camden
    • 65 6887 4440

      Children’s
    • 65 6465 4440
      Jelita
    • 65 6342 4440
      Katong

Dry Drowning explained by Dr Ho Tzin Yih

14 August, 2017 by IMC

Introduction

In recent times, the press and mainstream media have reported on the phenomenon of ‘dry drowning’ citing cases of people who have died days after they had been temporarily submerged in water.  Drowning is defined as breathing problems following being submerged or immersed in a liquid, and it doesn’t necessarily kill a person.

What actually happens

The breathing difficulties can be immediate or delayed (even days later though long delays are uncommon). Normally when water gets into the back of the throat, a flap of cartilage snaps down to prevent it from entering the breathing tube. The muscles around the epiglottis spasm to keep the water out of the airway. If you cough out the water, all is well. However, if the water manages to get into the lungs, even in small amounts, it can cause disruption of the surfactant (a slippery fluid that keeps the air sacs in the lungs open) as well as an immune reaction that culminates in a serious condition called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). ARDS causes the lungs to fill with fluid (pulmonary oedema) and prevents proper gas exchange in the lungs. ARDS is the most serious form of an acute lung injury and is often fatal. This process starts immediately from the time of aspirating the water and not days later.

When to act

The easiest thing to remember is to observe the coughing. If the submerged person came out of the water coughing and continues to cough increasing badly over the next few hours to days, bring him to the emergency room for attention. Wheezing and chest pain are also worrisome symptoms. The patient may need a chest x-ray with oxygen saturation monitored. Emergency treatment with medications and oxygen may be required as well.

If a cough develops days after the swimming, it’s just a cough.

Always keep a constant eye on kids near water. Even a moment’s distraction could cause you to miss catching the child aspirate. If there is no aspiration, there is no risk of drowning or ‘dry drowning’ a few days later.

 

Dr Ho has been with IMC for over 9 years and is the Senior Doctor based in our Camden Clinic. A graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin in 1994, he also has a Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. To book an appointment please call: 6733 4440.

Filed Under: News

Make an Appointment

Request Online
Call Us
15 June, 2022

Bowel Cancer: Causes, symptoms and importance of screening

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in Australia, and Bowel Cancer is the second biggest cause of ... Read more →

6 June, 2022

Monkeypox: What we know

Monkeypox is a disease caused by an Orthopoxvirus. It originates from countries in Central and West ... Read more →

23 May, 2022

Singapore haze: How does it impact your health

Most Singaporeans are familiar with haze as the Southeast Asian haze problem happens almost every ... Read more →

© 2022 International Medical Clinic Pte Ltd

  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy

Website by Singapore Web Design