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Suggest Remedies When Food Accidentally Goes Down The Wrong Pipe

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Posted on Tue, 20 Sep 2016
Question: My son has a nacho chip stuck in his wind pipe. He is breathing ok but is very uncomfotable and just vomitted after drinking alot of liquids. What should i do?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Airway foreign body vs esophageal spasm.

Detailed Answer:
Hello -

If you are sure it is in his wind pipe (pharynx) and not in the esophagus (tube that goes down to the stomach), then he should go in to the Emergency Room, as any food or foreign material lodged in the pharynx is a dangerous situation that can impair breathing.

If it is in his esophagus and he is able to swallow sips of liquids, the chip should start to disintegrate. But if it is not, a trip to the ER will help this too as the doctor's can give medication to relax the esophagus, allowing stuck food to pass.

Please let me know how he is doing.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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Suggest Remedies When Food Accidentally Goes Down The Wrong Pipe

Brief Answer: Airway foreign body vs esophageal spasm. Detailed Answer: Hello - If you are sure it is in his wind pipe (pharynx) and not in the esophagus (tube that goes down to the stomach), then he should go in to the Emergency Room, as any food or foreign material lodged in the pharynx is a dangerous situation that can impair breathing. If it is in his esophagus and he is able to swallow sips of liquids, the chip should start to disintegrate. But if it is not, a trip to the ER will help this too as the doctor's can give medication to relax the esophagus, allowing stuck food to pass. Please let me know how he is doing.