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I Have Sleep Apnea And COPD . I Fell Asleep

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Posted on Sat, 6 Feb 2021
Question: I have sleep apnea and COPD. I fell asleep on the couch with a piece of gum in my mouth , and I think that I inhaled it. I'm not having any trouble breathing , but what should I do ?
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Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Gum will get out with the bowel movement in few days. Do not worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Thank you for using "Ask a doctor" service.

You do not need to worry about the gum. It has gone into the stomach and digestive tract. It will come out with the bowel movement in 3 days.
When we breath air moves in the lungs. The food/swallow way closes. Also the opposite applies- when you swallow something the air pipe will close.
If for some reason you still are worried- I can tell you that if food or in this case the gum went accidentally in the air pipe, you would have a very strong cough, that would have gotten out with force the gum.

Hope this is helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Kind regards, Dr. Klarida Papaqako, General and Family physician.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
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Answered by
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Dr. Klarida Papaqako

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1804 Questions

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I Have Sleep Apnea And COPD . I Fell Asleep

Brief Answer: Gum will get out with the bowel movement in few days. Do not worry. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for using "Ask a doctor" service. You do not need to worry about the gum. It has gone into the stomach and digestive tract. It will come out with the bowel movement in 3 days. When we breath air moves in the lungs. The food/swallow way closes. Also the opposite applies- when you swallow something the air pipe will close. If for some reason you still are worried- I can tell you that if food or in this case the gum went accidentally in the air pipe, you would have a very strong cough, that would have gotten out with force the gum. Hope this is helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further. Kind regards, Dr. Klarida Papaqako, General and Family physician.