Is a Real Orgasm by Asphyxiation Suicide or Self Harm? Asphyxia (from Greek meaning ‘without pulse’, or ‘heartbeat’) is a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body that arises from being unable to breathe normally. An example of asphyxia is choking. Asphyxia causes generalized hypoxia, which primarily affects the tissues and organs. [...]