CHOKING
Since ages, we have been listening from our elders that do not talk while eating because it may so happen that when food becomes stuck in the airway, it can cause CHOKING. It is also called foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO).Choking is a serious condition where it prevents oxygen from getting to the lungs and the brain. It happens when the food gets stuck in your trachea (windpipe) or esophagus (food pipe). Talking or laughing while eating is one of the prime common reasons why people choke.
While eating if someone is seen to be in discomfort/ breathing difficulties/coughing/ wheezing/ difficulty swallowing/ inability to speak/panic and hand signals for help/clutching the throat/ turning blue around the lips, face, and nails due to lack of oxygen will mean that the person has been choked. Infants who are choking may show signs of breathing difficulty, weak crying, and /or coughing.
Foods that generally cause choking are- Chicken bones, types of peas, popcorn, hard candy, raisins, nuts and seeds, fish bones, whole grapes, raw vegetables, etc.
Immediate treatment which should be done in case of choking –
- Encourage the victim to cough
- Bend them forwards and give up to 5 back blows to try and dislodge the blockage
- Abdominal or chest thrusts
If the choking isn’t clear yet then immediately rush to a hospital.
Reference:
https://www.healthline.com/health/choking-adult-or-child-over-1-year
