To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Swallowed or Inhaled Objects. Topic Overview When you swallow food, liquid, or an object, what is swallowed passes from your mouth through your throat and esophagus into your stomach.
The situation may be more serious when: Signs of choking complete airway obstruction are present. When the windpipe is blocked, air cannot move in and out of the lungs and the person cannot talk, cry, breathe, or cough. A blocked windpipe is a life-threatening emergency. The choking rescue procedure Heimlich maneuver is used to clear an obstruction in adults and children older than 1 year. Rescue back blows and chest thrusts are used in babies younger than 1 year.
Signs of a partially blocked windpipe are present. When the windpipe is partially blocked, some air can still move in and out of the lungs. The person may gag, cough, or have trouble breathing.
Coughing will often pop out the food or object and relieve the symptoms. The choking rescue procedure is not recommended when the windpipe is partially blocked. An object is stuck in the esophagus. A poisonous object has been swallowed, such as a wild mushroom, a plant, or a chemical. For more information, see the topic Poisoning. A button disc battery, magnet, or object with lead has been swallowed.
A swallowed object doesn't show up in the stool within 7 days. These include: Sharp objects, such as open safety pins, bones, toothpicks, needles, razor blades, or broken thermometers.
Long objects. Large objects that may get stuck in the digestive tract and require removal. Check Your Symptoms Have you swallowed or inhaled an object? How old are you? Less than 12 years. Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. If you are transgender or nonbinary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female". This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Have you swallowed or inhaled something that might be poisonous? Did you pass out completely lose consciousness? If you are answering for someone else: Is the person unconscious now?
Are you back to your normal level of alertness? After passing out, it's normal to feel a little confused, weak, or lightheaded when you first wake up or come to. But unless something else is wrong, these symptoms should pass pretty quickly and you should soon feel about as awake and alert as you normally do. Did the loss of consciousness occur during the past 24 hours? Are you having trouble breathing more than a stuffy nose?
Would you describe the breathing problem as severe, moderate, or mild? The symptoms in an adult or older child are different than the symptoms in a young child or baby. Have you swallowed a disc battery, a magnet, or an object that contains a lot of lead , such as certain toys or a fishing sinker? Have you swallowed an object that was sharp like a toothpick, pin, bone, or needle or long?
Long means at least 2 in. Do you have pain in your throat, chest, or belly after swallowing or inhaling an object? How bad is the pain on a scale of 0 to 10, if 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine?
Signs of pain in an adult or child are different than signs of pain in a baby or toddler. Have you had mild pain for more than an hour? Within the past 2 days, did an object get caught in your throat and cause you to choke? Are you coughing or wheezing? Are you coughing up blood? This means blood that is coming up from your chest or throat. Blood that is draining down from your nose into your throat because of a nosebleed, for example is not the same thing.
Were back blows or the Heimlich maneuver used to dislodge the food or object from the throat? Are you gagging or having trouble swallowing? Are you drooling and not able to swallow? Do you think an object may be stuck in your throat? Have you vomited? Have you vomited blood or what looks like coffee grounds? If there is only a streak or two of blood that you are sure came from your nose or mouth, you are not vomiting blood. Have you vomited more than once?
Learn more about the procedure and risks. An introvert is often thought of as a quiet, reserved, and thoughtful individual. Experts say the COVID pandemic added to the stresses of job insecurity and food shortages already felt by People of Color and young adults. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Health. What Does Aspiration Mean? Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.
Read on to learn what increases your risk for aspiration, complications, treatment, and more. What causes aspiration? Cause Result reduced tongue control This can fail to trigger the swallowing reflex. It tends to cause aspiration of liquids. They include gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD , dysphagia , and throat cancer. Silent vs. What are the complications of aspiration?
What increases your risk for aspiration? Aspiration in children. What will your doctor look for? Treatment for aspiration. Aspiration prevention tips. You can also aspirate food that travels back up from your stomach to your esophagus. All of these things may carry bacteria that affect your lungs. Healthy lungs can clear up on their own. Someone with aspiration pneumonia may show symptoms of poor oral hygiene and throat clearing or wet coughing after eating.
Other symptoms of this condition include:. Anyone exhibiting these symptoms should contact their doctor. Pneumonia from aspiration can occur when your defenses are impaired and the aspirated contents have a large amount of harmful bacteria. Those who have impaired coughing ability, however, may not be able to. This impairment may be due to:.
Your doctor will look for signs of pneumonia during a physical exam, such as a decreased flow of air, rapid heart rate, and a crackling sound in your lungs. Your doctor may also run a series of tests to confirm pneumonia. These may include:. Because pneumonia is a serious condition, it requires treatment. You should have some of your test results within 24 hours. Blood and sputum cultures will take three to five days.
Treatment depends on the severity of your pneumonia. Outcomes and duration of treatment depend on your general health, preexisting conditions, and hospital policies. Treating severe pneumonia may require hospitalization. People with trouble swallowing may need to stop taking food by mouth. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. What to Do and How to Find Relief. Trending Topics.
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