Guy Puts Knigw to Womans Throat Aftwe Having Baby
Having food stuck in the throat can be uncomfortable and scary. However, being able to recognize the signs of choking and knowing what to do in an emergency can help save a person's life.
The process of swallowing food involves a number of
First, the tongue pushes food to the back of the throat. This is where the openings of the esophagus (food pipe) and windpipe are located. As a person swallows, a flap of cartilage called the epiglottis closes off the windpipe. This temporarily stops breathing and prevents food from entering the airways.
At the same time, a muscle called the upper esophageal sphincter relaxes, allowing food to move into the esophagus.
Sometimes, however, food get can stuck in the esophagus, creating an uncomfortable sensation in the throat or chest. At other times, the epiglottis does not close sufficiently during swallowing, which allows food to enter the airways. This can result in choking.
Both types of blockage can cause pain and discomfort. However, a blockage in the windpipe can be a medical emergency. Keep reading to learn what to do if food becomes stuck in the throat.
When food enters the windpipe, it can partially or completely block the airways.
Sometimes, persistent or forceful coughing can dislodge the food. At other times, a blockage that occurs in the windpipe or voice box can result in choking.
Choking refers to breathing difficulties resulting from acute obstruction of the airways. A person who is choking is unable to inhale or exhale enough air to cough.
The following symptoms may indicate that a person is choking:
- silent coughing or gagging
- wheezing
- clutching the throat
- an inability to speak or breathe
- a blue tint to the skin, called cyanosis
A person who cannot speak, cough, or breathe may require the Heimlich maneuver. This procedure, also known as abdominal thrusts, involves forcefully applying pressure to the abdomen to dislodge a blockage in the windpipe.
The Heimlich maneuver is only required in emergency situations. A person should only perform the Heimlich maneuver on someone who is choking.
The procedure is not suitable for children under 1 year of age or women in the late stages of pregnancy. These people may require different variations of the maneuver.
The American College of Emergency Physicians provide some instructions for performing the Heimlich maneuver. Before performing it on someone who is conscious, a person should confirm that the other person is choking by asking, "Are you choking?"
Only proceed with the maneuver if the person nods yes and cannot seem to speak, cough, or breathe for themselves.
To perform the Heimlich maneuver:
- Step 1: Stand behind the person and reach both arms around their waist.
- Step 2: Clench one fist and position it so that it is above the person's navel and below their ribcage.
- Step 3: Clasp the clenched fist with the other hand.
- Step 4: Quickly thrust the clenched fist backward and upward under their ribcage. Do this 6–10 times in quick succession.
- Step 5: Continue to perform abdominal thrusts until the obstruction dislodges from the airways or until the emergency services arrive.
- Step 6: Ensure that the person receives medical attention as soon as possible, even if they have stopped choking.
If the person stops breathing and becomes unresponsive, they should receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
A person who is alone while choking may need to perform the Heimlich maneuver on themselves. If a chair is available, they can lean over the back of the chair while performing the maneuver. This should help dislodge blockages from the airways.
Unless a person is choking, food stuck in the throat is not always a major medical emergency. If the person is not choking, coughing hard may help dislodge food from the throat.
Sometimes, the obstruction occurs in the esophagus. This is called a food bolus impaction (FBI). Although uncomfortable, medical professionals do not consider an esophageal FBI to be as significant a medical emergency as choking.
People who have food stuck in the esophagus can try the following tips to help dislodge it:
- Swallowing fluids or soft foods: This can help lubricate the food or push it downward.
- Taking effervescent tablets: These over-the-counter tablets cause carbon dioxide gas to form, which helps relieve food blockages by pushing them downward.
- Drinking carbonated drinks: These may work in a similar way to effervescent tablets.
- Taking simethicone: This drug helps bring gas bubbles together in a larger density. This causes pressure in the esophagus that may help release food blockages.
In 2015, more than
Choking can affect people of any age. However, it is more common in children ages 0–3 years and in adults over the age of 60.
Choking is the
Choking in children
Choking is the
Children most commonly choke on food, coins, balloons, and small toys.
Choking in older adults
Older people produce less saliva, which makes it difficult for them to move food to the back of their mouth when swallowing.
Certain conditions that are more common in older age can also increase the risk of choking. Examples include dementia and Parkinson's disease.
Dysphagia and choking
Some people experience dysphagia, which is the medical term for swallowing difficulties. Dysphagia can increase a person's risk of choking.
Certain muscle disorders and nervous system disorders that affect the nerves involved in swallowing can cause dysphagia. Examples of conditions that can cause dysphagia include:
- stroke
- head injury
- cerebral palsy
- Parkinson's disease
- dementia
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Dysphagia can also develop after sustaining an injury to the esophagus.
A person should make an appointment with their doctor if they frequently experience one or more of the following:
- difficulty swallowing
- food stuck in the windpipe
- food blockages in the esophagus
Doctors who treat swallowing disorders use diagnostic tests to examine the different stages of the swallowing process. These tests may include:
- Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing: This technique uses an endoscope to view the swallowing mechanisms inside the mouth and throat. Doctors examine how the mechanisms respond to different stimuli, such as food, liquids, and puffs of air.
- Video fluoroscopic swallow study: This uses real time X-rays of a person as they are swallowing. This helps doctors identify issues at different stages of the swallowing process.
Based on the results of these diagnostic tests, a doctor may recommend certain strategies to improve safety when swallowing. Some
- making changes to the size and texture of food
- making changes to head and neck position when eating
- trying behavioral maneuvers when swallowing, such as tucking in the chin
- trying medical or surgical interventions
The following tips can help prevent food obstructions from developing in the esophagus and windpipe:
- eating smaller mouthfuls of food
- chewing food slowly and thoroughly before swallowing
- not drinking too much alcohol before or during meals
- not eating food "on the go"
Unlike adults, who mainly choke on food, children can also choke on toys or small objects. The following tips can help prevent choking in children:
- keeping small objects out of reach of children
- supervising young children when they are eating or playing
- making sure that children sit upright to eat
- chopping food into small pieces before giving it to children
- encouraging children to chew food slowly and thoroughly
Also, people should avoid giving the following foods to children below 3–4 years of age:
- small, hard foods, such as nuts, dried fruits, and hard candies
- slippery foods, such as grapes, hotdogs, and large pieces of meat
- sticky foods, such as taffy, gummy candies, and marshmallows
- nut butters from a spoon or finger
Food obstructions can sometimes develop in the esophagus or windpipe. Food blockages in the esophagus are generally not a major medical emergency.
However, food blockages in the windpipe can lead to choking. People who are choking require emergency treatment.
The Heimlich maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is a first aid method that people can use to remove blockages from a person's windpipe. However, it is not suitable for use on children under 1 and heavily pregnant women.
People who frequently have trouble swallowing should see their doctor. They may be able to diagnose the cause of the swallowing difficulties. They may also offer tips and techniques to improve safety when swallowing.
Guy Puts Knigw to Womans Throat Aftwe Having Baby
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326349