About this topic
Choking happens when a foreign object blocks a persons airway. The airway is also known as the windpipe or trachea. It may be blocked a little bit or all the way. Choking may be life threatening, especially if treatment is not given right away. If your airway is blocked, you are not able to get enough air into your body. Then, your brain does not get enough oxygen. It can only survive for a few minutes without oxygen. Quick first aid for choking may save someone's life. ‚
What are the causes?
Choking may happen when you eat too fast. It may also be caused by taking too large of bites of food and not chewing them properly. Other times, you may choke on a small object like a button, coin, or toy. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Infants and young children up to age 3
- People who have trouble swallowing
- People with illnesses affecting the throat or esophagus. Your esophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
- People with illnesses affecting the part of the brain that controls swallowing
- Drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol)
What are the main signs?
Partially blocked airway: ‚
- Coughing that does not stop
- Not able to talk
- Wheezing
- Person may grab the throat
- Red face
- Watery eyes
Fully blocked airway: ‚
- Panicked behavior
- Person may grab the throat
- Blue or gray color of the skin, lips, and nails
- Watery eyes
- Not able to talk
- Unconsciousness
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Anyone may perform first aid to save a life. The technique to save someone from choking is called the Heimlich maneuver. ‚
Adults: ‚
- Standing or sitting
- Stand behind the person who is choking.
- Place your arms around the person just below the rib cage. Position your closed hands together, thumb inward, in the center of the persons belly, above the navel.
- Give 4 to 5 inward and upward thrusts going towards the chest.
- Repeat this procedure until the person coughs out the foreign object or passes out.
- Lying down or unconscious
- Straddle over the person who is choking.
- Position the heel of your right hand above the person's waistline.
- Place your left hand over your right hand.
- Keep your elbows straight and give 4 to 5 inward and upward thrusts.
- Repeat this procedure until the person coughs out the foreign object. Remove the object if you are able to see it.
Children: ‚
- Standing or sitting
- Stand behind the child who is choking.
- Place your arms around the child just below the rib cage. Position your closed hands together, thumb inward, in the center of the child's belly, above the navel.
- Give 4 to 5 inward and upward thrusts going towards the chest.
- Repeat this procedure until the child coughs out the foreign object or passes out.
- Lying down or unconscious
- Straddle over the child who is choking.
- Position the heel of your right hand above the child's waistline. Place your left hand over your right hand.
- Keep your elbows straight and give 4 to 5 inward and upward thrusts.
- Repeat this procedure until the child coughs out the foreign object. Remove the object if you are able to see it.
Infants: ‚
- Place the infant across your forearm facedown. Support your arm on your leg. Make sure that your hand supports the baby's head.
- Use the heel of your hand and give 4 to 5 blows in between the shoulder blades.
- If it is not successful, turn the baby over.
- Put your index and middle fingers in the middle your baby's chest. Give 4 to 5 thrusts in the chest with 1 inch depth. Repeat this procedure until the baby coughs out the foreign object.
Clearing the airway for a pregnant or obese person: ‚
- Stand behind the person.
- Place your arms around the person at the base of the breastbone. Position your closed hands together in the center of the person's chest.
- Give 4 to 5 inward and upward thrusts into the chest. Repeat this procedure until the person coughs out the foreign object.
If you are choking: ‚
- Do not panic. Look for someone to help you.
- Attempt to cough out forcefully.
- Place a closed fist above your navel. Put your other hand over your closed fist.
- Bend over a hard surface like dinner table or countertop.
- Shove your fist inward and upward. Repeat this procedure until you cough out the foreign object.
- Do not let anyone slap or blow you on the back while you are in this position. It may cause more damage.
Will there be any other care needed?
- Do not panic. Call for help right away when someone is choking.
- Take the person to the doctor or ER to check if there are still foreign objects inside the body that may block the airway.
- The doctor may also check if there is an injury or damage in the airway caused by the choking.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Eat slowly. Chew your food well before swallowing.
- Cut food into small bite-size pieces.
- Avoid drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Make sure that oral devices or dentures fit properly.
- Keep small objects away from a child.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/choking.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/2301.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚