Brief Answer:
Detailed explanation given below

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Swallowing is a function that is done by muscles that we have control on and some muscles that we don't have much control. If you try to control it you might not be very successful due to the group of muscles down the throat that are out of the control of our will (called involuntary muscles).

It is important that you seek medical help for two reasons:
- to rule out the real choking problems called dysphagia. This is difficulty swallowing due to real structural or functional problems of the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat with the stomach). The ENT doctor will need to do some tests to rule out these problems.
- if all the examinations show that you don't have any structural or functional problems in your esophagus then you will need treatment for fear of choking (pseudodysphagia).
If you don't receive medical help the fear of choking might worsen and might be difficult for you to eat or drink. The later you seek medical help the more difficult it may be due to the fact that a choking episode adds to the fear which makes swallowing more difficult creating a vicious circle. The treatment is generally successful and consists of medications for anxiety/depression as fear of choking is considered an anxiety disorder and also behavioral therapy for the disorder.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician

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Brief Answer:
Explanation given in detail below

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Normally we can not breathe and swallow at the same time. When we swallow the root of the tongue pushes down the epiglotis which is the roof of the airway, blocking it so the food does not go in the airway. Sometimes some food may not go in the throat and stay in the between two ways (airway and food way) and soon may fall in the airway and make us choke. Normally this happens very rarely. If it happens often we need to make sure that the oesophagus (the tube between the throat and the stomach) is not having structural or functional problems.

The treatment will depend on the result of the visit. If the ENT doctor finds some problems during examination he will have to give the specific treatment for the condition.
If no problems are found and you don't have real dysphagia but pseudodysphagia then it is related to anxiety and treatment for anxiety are the needed: medications for anxiety (SSRI, like citalopram) and also behavioral therapy.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician

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Brief Answer:
You can use water to help if you feel you are choking but please plan a check with your doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Even though we can have some control on the choking process, in itself it includes so many muscles and the body has done it so many times that the muscles work automatically and do a better job when we don't try to control it. It is like typing with 10 fingers and other complex activities, if we have trained ourselves long enough we do a better job not seeing the screen and not thinking which buttons we are pressing; and this is because the brain has already created the memory paths for more efficient ways that when we try to have control of we just slow it down and reduce its efficacy. It is similar with swallowing. The moment you try to consciously control it you might make it even worse (especially if the reason is psychological and not real problems with the oesophagus).

As for drinking water this will depend on how you feel after doing it. If you notice that drinking water after a solid food helps you, you can do this. But please don't rely only on this to solve the problem but have the right medical attention to first rule out important conditions.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician

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