It can happen that we choke while eating and drinking. But weakened chewing muscles or a neurological disorder can also cause this. This can have both harmless and serious consequences. From coughing to becoming unconscious. We tell you what you can do if you or someone else chokes.
What happens during choking?
There are 2 valves at the back of the throat that ensure that no food or drink enters the nose or esophagus. Because they are closed during eating and drinking, everything that enters normally goes towards the esophagus. The uvula ensures that nothing enters the nose and the epiglottis keeps the trachea clear while eating and drinking. However, this can go wrong for various reasons. For example, talking or laughing quickly while eating or drinking can cause the valves to work less well. There may also be swallowing problems, such as a muscle disease.
With mild choking, it usually resolves itself by coughing. However, it can also have more serious consequences, such as pneumonia or suffocation.
Recognizing and solving mild choking
With mild choking, a person remains conscious. The person may cough violently, gag, speak, cry or breathe audibly. The voice may sometimes sound different. It is good to keep coughing until the choking goes away. Pay attention to whether breathing remains normal. Does someone continue to cough for a long time, have difficulty swallowing or have the feeling that there is something in their throat? Please contact your GP or emergency department.
Also read: Lump in your throat? Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do
Recognizing and solving a serious choking problem
Severe choking can be recognized by someone panicking or grabbing their throat. The person can often no longer speak or breathe. Sometimes there is wheezing. Or there is a soft or silent cough. Subsequently, reduced consciousness may occur or a person may become unconscious. Then the skin color and lips can also change color or become blue.
In case of severe choking, help is needed. Check for visible objects in the front of the mouth and remove them if possible. If someone is still present, have them call 911. If you are alone, first give 5 back blows. To do this, stand on the side slightly behind the victim. If the person is taller than you, you can leave the victim alone. Then support the chest with 1 hand and let the victim bend forward. Give 5 firm blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Check whether the airway is clear again.
How does the Heimlich maneuver work?
Did the blows not help? Then perform 5 abdominal thrusts. Also called the Heimlich maneuver. To do this, stand behind the victim and wrap your arms around the upper part of the abdomen. Have the victim lean forward. Then make a fist and place it on the upper part of the abdomen. Grab the fist with your other hand and pull it toward you and up in a quick motion. Do this 5 times.
If it is not possible to give abdominal thrusts due to the size of the victim, you can give chest thrusts. Have the victim sit or rest their back against a wall or door. Push on the sternum with both hands.
Does this not help and has 112 not been called yet? Do this now and put the phone on speaker. Continue giving 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts. Follow the instructions of the control room operator.
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Does the victim become unconscious? Then carefully place him or her on his or her back and start CPR. You can read more about this on the Red Cross website the step-by-step plan for this.
Pneumonia after choking
When someone does not have enough strength to cough after choking, food and liquids can remain in the lungs. The elderly or people with swallowing problems are particularly at risk. If you suspect this is the case with you or someone else, contact a doctor as it can be life-threatening.
(Source: Red Cross, Health Square, RTL News. Photo: Shutterstock)
2023-12-30 05:01:40
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