Getting the wind knocked out of you

Getting the wind knocked out of you is a commonly used idiom that refers to a kind of diaphragm spasm that occurs when sudden force is applied to the abdomen which puts pressure on the solar plexus. This often happens in contact sports, from a forceful blow to the abdomen, or by falling on the back. It results in a temporary paralysis of the diaphragm that makes it difficult to breathe. The sensation of being unable to breathe can lead to anxiety and there may be residual pain from the original blow, but the condition typically clears spontaneously in a minute or two. Victims of a winding episode often groan in a strained manner until normal breathing resumes.

References

Notes

Sources

• MacAuley, D (2007). Oxford Handbook of Sport and Exercise Medicine. Oxford University Press. p. 572. ISBN 0-19-856839-8.
• Shultz, Sandra J.; Houglum, Peggy A.; Perrin, David H. (2005). Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries. Human Kinetics. p. 567. ISBN 0-7360-5138-4.
• "Getting the Wind Knocked Out of You" at kidshealth.org