Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Are The Symptoms To Look After Choking Upon Food?
Question: Hi, I swallowed a piece of bread and sniffled/inhaled my food at the same time as I have a runny nose. The bread went down the wrong tube to what felt like fairly deep there as I inhaled deeply, but I'm no longer coughing. Is it possible I cleared it? Or, can it be stuck inside my trachea still? I'm afraid that I may have an episode of choking later? What should I do? If I'm not coughing, am I in the clear? Very worried....
Brief Answer:
Chest xrays required if symptoms occur
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to HCM.
It is not likely that piece of bread went into your trachea since you would have prominent symptoms such as severe cough and pain so it may have caused tracheal irritation and then you during the cough pushed it to esophagus.
It is not likely that chocking can occur later if there is no symptoms now.
However, small piece may have travelled more distally to bronchii and in this case you could have symptoms of lung inflammation later on. So If you feel symptoms such as pain in chest , cough or swallowing difficulties, you should do chest X-ray(PA view).
Wish you good health. Regards
Chest xrays required if symptoms occur
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to HCM.
It is not likely that piece of bread went into your trachea since you would have prominent symptoms such as severe cough and pain so it may have caused tracheal irritation and then you during the cough pushed it to esophagus.
It is not likely that chocking can occur later if there is no symptoms now.
However, small piece may have travelled more distally to bronchii and in this case you could have symptoms of lung inflammation later on. So If you feel symptoms such as pain in chest , cough or swallowing difficulties, you should do chest X-ray(PA view).
Wish you good health. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you for your reply. I'm relieved, but wondering if I do have any later imflammation and there is a small amount in my bronchii how does that get resolved? Also, when am I completely out of risk for any problems?
Regards,
XXXX
Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
After 4,5 days
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back to HCM.
Small organic particles can be dissolved in respiratory tract and this, in most cases, doesn't cause any difficulties. lung inflammation should occur within 4 ,5 days, not later in this case .
Regards
After 4,5 days
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back to HCM.
Small organic particles can be dissolved in respiratory tract and this, in most cases, doesn't cause any difficulties. lung inflammation should occur within 4 ,5 days, not later in this case .
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
