Choking happens when the airway is blocked partly or completely. Things that
block the airway include:
Food that goes down the windpipe
Small objects that get stuck in the throat
and airway
Fluids that block the airway, such as
mucus, blood, vomit, or liquids swallowed the wrong way
Snoring, when the tongue blocks the airway
When the airway is completely blocked, the brain doesn't get oxygen. Without oxygen, the brain can begin to die in 4-6 minutes. A few thousand Americans, many of them young children, die from choking each year. Knowing what to do when you or someone else is choking can be lifesaving. It's also good to know how to prevent choking.
Prevention
Teach your child to chew
all foods thoroughly before swallowing. Do the same yourself. Eat at a slow pace.
Go easy on alcoholic beverages before you
eat, to lessen the chance of swallowing large pieces of food.
Try not to laugh and eat at the same time.
Laughing can draw food into the windpipe.
If you wear dentures, make sure they fit
well.
Never run or play sports with objects in
the mouth.
Don't give these things to children under 5
years of age:
Small beads
Nuts of any kind
Popcorn
Foods with pits, such as watermelon, grapes, cherries
Chewing gum (especially bubble gum)
Hard candy, throat lozenges, cough drops
Hot dogs, sausages, grapes (seedless ones),
and caramels are common causes of choking in children. Chop them up before you give them
to children under 5.
Don't let your child chew or suck on rubber
balloons or pieces of rubber balloons.
Keep small, solid objects such as paper
clips and buttons away from children 3 years old and younger. Make sure, too, that they
don't get their hands on toys that have small parts, such as eyes on stuffed animals, game
pieces, dice, etc.
Put childproof latches on cupboards that
contain harmful items.
Make sure that all medicines and vitamins
are stored in containers with childproof lids. Keep them out of your child's reach. Put
them in locked cabinets, if necessary.
Remove plastic labels and decals from baby
walkers and other kiddy furniture before youngsters can peel them off.
| Is the choking victim unconscious or is the victim unable to
breathe? {Note: Perform Heimlich Maneuver before emergency care. See Choking (Heimlich Maneuver).}  |
 |
| Does the choking victim have fast and/or labored breathing? | |
| Are any of these things present after a choking incident? Wheezing Cough that doesn't go away Symptoms of pneumonia such as chest pain
when breathing in, and/or fever |
 |
If you or someone else is choking, but able to breathe and speak:
Cough to clear the airway.
Take a slow, deep breath to get a lot of
air into the lungs.
Give a deep, forceful cough. (Try to
breathe in deeply enough to be able to cough out 2 or 3 times in a row before taking a
second breath.)
{Note: Choking can be a sign of other problems such as allergic reactions, breathing problems, and some heart attacks. See Insect Stings, Breathing Problems, and Chest Pain.}
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99