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Choking - conscious adult or child over 1 year    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Heimlich maneuver - conscious adult or child over 1 year

Definition:

This condition is the inability to breathe due to a blockage in the airway (throat or windpipe).

Considerations

Coughing is the body's way of trying to remove a foreign object (such as food) from the airway. If coughing does not clear the obstruction, then choking occurs.

A choking person's airway may be completely or partially blocked. A complete obstruction is immediately life-threatening. A partial obstruction can become life threatening if the person's ability to breathe in and out is sufficiently compromised. Treat any significant obstruction as a complete obstruction.

Without oxygen, permanent brain damage can occur in as little as 4 minutes. Rapid first aid for choking can save a life.

All choking victims should receive medical attention after the episode, since complications can arise, even if the object is successfully dislodged.

Occasionally an object will enter the lung instead of being expelled. While the victim may appear to improve and breathe normally, in a few days signs and symptoms of a foreign body in the lung (such as wheezing, persistent cough, and pneumonia) may develop. If this happens, get medical help immediately.

Causes

• Eating (especially eating too fast, failing to chew food well enough, or eating with improperly fitted dentures)
• Alcohol consumption (even a small amount of alcohol affects awareness)
• Unconscious or stuporous persons may aspirate (inhale) vomited material
• Small objects aspirated (inhaled) by young children
• Trauma to the head and face (swelling or blood can cause choking)

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