Choking, Family Medicine FAQ

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Choking on Food: Understanding Coughing, Phlegm, and Chest Discomfort

Choking with excessive phlegm? Hello, doctor. A couple of days ago (on May 24), while eating a hamburger and drinking milk tea, I was talking to a colleague and accidentally choked. I felt embarrassed to cough it out, so I swallowed hard and then went to the restroom to cough for...


Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! Based on your description, it is possible that you are experiencing throat inflammation and hoarseness due to the process. The inhalation cough may indicate that a small foreign body has entered the respiratory tract, and the ability of the respiratory system to handle the...

[Read More] Choking on Food: Understanding Coughing, Phlegm, and Chest Discomfort


Prolonged Cough After COVID-19: Understanding Symptoms and Concerns

COVID-19 I started experiencing symptoms on September 13, and tested positive with a rapid test in the early hours of September 15. During the isolation period, I had fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and gastrointestinal symptoms. It has been over five weeks since I te...


Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: Your symptoms may be indicative of "Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection," commonly referred to as Long COVID. Generally, symptoms of COVID-19 infection tend to resolve within a few weeks to a month, but some individuals may experience symptoms that persis...

[Read More] Prolonged Cough After COVID-19: Understanding Symptoms and Concerns


Understanding Choking: When to Seek Medical Advice for Throat Issues

Choking is defined as a medical emergency that occurs when an object, such as food or a foreign body, obstructs the airway, Hello, Dr. Lin. I apologize for the interruption. Here’s the situation: while I was eating, I got distracted by my phone and suddenly a mouthful of fried ri...


Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: 1. Based on your description, there should be no foreign body in your trachea and lungs. If there were a foreign body in the trachea, you would experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing and persistent coughing. 2. A sensation of a foreign body in the larynx is commo...

[Read More] Understanding Choking: When to Seek Medical Advice for Throat Issues


Understanding Chest Discomfort After Eating: Possible Causes and Solutions

Chest tightness after cooking or eating? Hello doctor, I went out for errands at 2:30 PM the day before yesterday and was exposed to the sun for about 20 minutes. I experienced chest tightness, but after drinking water and resting, it improved. I burped and felt better. Today at ...


Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: In addition to gastrointestinal issues (most commonly gastroesophageal reflux), your chest discomfort should also consider potential heart problems (such as angina) or lung issues (such as asthma). It is recommended that you first visit a family medicine physician for an i...

[Read More] Understanding Chest Discomfort After Eating: Possible Causes and Solutions


Understanding Throat Discomfort After Choking on Medication

Experiencing discomfort in the throat after choking on medication? Hello Doctor: Yesterday, while taking my medication, it got stuck in my throat. I swallowed a large gulp of water, but it didn't go down and I felt a choking sensation. After that, I still had water in my mou...


Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! Based on your description, it is possible that you may have injured the mucous membrane of your throat while swallowing medication. Please recall if you accidentally swallowed any part of the foil packaging along with the medication. If there is a possibility of having ing...

[Read More] Understanding Throat Discomfort After Choking on Medication


Understanding Chest Discomfort: Is It Esophageal or Cardiac?

Mild chest pain? Hello, Doctor: Last weekend, I had a cold and visited a clinic where the doctor prescribed me cold medication. However, after taking the nighttime medication on Sunday, I experienced a sensation of chest pain the next day. It is especially noticeable during lunch...


Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Helen: 1. After food passes through the pharynx, it enters the esophagus, which is a long tubular structure approximately 25 to 30 centimeters in length. It is located behind the trachea and extends from the pharynx through the neck and chest, passing through the diaphr...

[Read More] Understanding Chest Discomfort: Is It Esophageal or Cardiac?


Choking on Medication: When to Seek Emergency Care?

Choking on medication? If you accidentally choked while taking medication and are experiencing pain in the left side of your chest 15 minutes later, it is important to monitor your symptoms closely. The pain could be a result of irritation or inflammation in the esophagus or a po...


Dr. Wu Zongying Reply:
Hello: If you choke on water or liquid, as long as you cough it out immediately, there should be no problem. However, if it enters the trachea, there may be a risk of aspiration pneumonia. If you experience persistent chest pain, or even have fever, chills, or productive cough, i...

[Read More] Choking on Medication: When to Seek Emergency Care?


Choking on Water: Risks and What to Do After

Choking on water? Hello Doctor: On the evening of October 25th, I choked while drinking water. Since I still had water in my mouth at the time, I held back my cough and swallowed all the water before I coughed. Afterwards, I started to worry whether not coughing immediately could...


Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! The swallowed water typically travels through the esophagus into the stomach. When food or drink is about to enter the trachea instead of the esophagus, if your swallowing ability is intact, your body will instantly recognize the danger and reflexively cough to expel the m...

[Read More] Choking on Water: Risks and What to Do After


Understanding Throat Mucus Buildup: Causes and When to Seek Help

Phlegm in the throat? Hello Doctor, since April of this year, I have been experiencing a sensation of phlegm stuck in my throat, and sometimes when I eat, I feel a choking sensation. I also have a feeling of post-nasal drip, but I do not cough. I frequently experience burping, so...


Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! Based on your description, belching accompanied by liquid discharge may be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can be evaluated by a gastroenterologist. Symptoms of post-nasal drip can be assessed by an otolaryngologist.

[Read More] Understanding Throat Mucus Buildup: Causes and When to Seek Help


Understanding Throat Discomfort: Is It Acid Reflux or Anxiety?

Sensation of a foreign body in the throat? I have been experiencing a sensation of choking or difficulty swallowing every time I eat for about two months. I visited an ear, nose, and throat specialist who performed an endoscopy and found only inflammation. The doctor asked if I h...


Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, the discomfort of a foreign body sensation in the throat should indeed be evaluated by an otolaryngologist. Gastroesophageal reflux is also a common cause, so it is advisable to consult a gastroenterologist for diagnosis. Regarding mental and emotional aspects, it is essen...

[Read More] Understanding Throat Discomfort: Is It Acid Reflux or Anxiety?


Understanding the Risks of Choking: What You Need to Know

Choking risk? Hello, doctor. I've been having a cold for the past few days and visited an ENT specialist last week. The doctor mentioned that I had a mild cold and prescribed some medication for me. While eating udon noodles, I suddenly felt like I choked on the slippery noo...


Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Hello! 1. Based on your description, if you experience persistent coughing, a sensation of foreign body in the chest, pain below the rib cage, or even a high fever after choking, you should seek medical attention promptly. 2. However, since each individual's constitution var...

[Read More] Understanding the Risks of Choking: What You Need to Know


Health Concerns: Can I Get Infected from a Small Cut?

Could you please provide more details or specify your question? Hello doctor, I took a shower later than usual yesterday when I got home, and then I thought I would help my family by washing some underwear. This morning, I found out that my brother's underwear was also in th...


Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Hello! 1. (1) Cauliflower is primarily transmitted through sexual contact. Your concern about indirect transmission is mitigated by the fact that you wash your hands with soap, which reduces the likelihood of infection. (2) However, since each individual's constitution varie...

[Read More] Health Concerns: Can I Get Infected from a Small Cut?


Understanding Choking Hazards: What to Do After Food Goes Down the Wrong Pipe

Suspected aspiration? Hello, Doctor. While eating corn, I suddenly felt uncomfortable as if something had gone into my nasal cavity. It felt like it slipped down, and I wasn't sure if I swallowed it. I coughed a couple of times, feeling like I choked a bit. Afterwards, I had...


Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Mo: 1. Aspiration pneumonia refers to a bacterial infection of the lungs caused by the inhalation of harmful gases, liquids, or solid particles, leading to mechanical obstruction and chemical injury; it often results in bronchopneumonia. This condition is most commonly ...

[Read More] Understanding Choking Hazards: What to Do After Food Goes Down the Wrong Pipe


Choking on Food: Concerns and Remedies for Safe Eating

Choking on food? Hello Doctor, I was eating pasta and while laughing, I choked. I coughed for a while and initially wanted to spit out the pasta, but I ended up producing a lot of saliva and phlegm. Now I feel a bit strange in my throat and I'm worried that the pasta might b...


Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! Dysphagia typically occurs in patients with nerve damage in specific areas. If you have concerns, it is advisable to consult a neurologist. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid talking while eating and to slow down your eating pace. Liquid foods are more likely to caus...

[Read More] Choking on Food: Concerns and Remedies for Safe Eating


Frequent Speech Errors and Choking: When to Seek Medical Help?

Frequently mispronouncing words and choking on water? Hello, recently I have been frequently mis-speaking, such as saying "reason" instead of "gift," "elevator" instead of "television," and "clam" instead of "aloe vera" ...


Dr. Cai Dongqi Reply:
It is recommended that you first consult a neurologist to check for any disorders in the brain's language control functions. If the results are normal, then it is advisable to see a psychiatrist.

[Read More] Frequent Speech Errors and Choking: When to Seek Medical Help?


Understanding Symptoms: Difficulty Swallowing, Coordination Issues, and Double Vision

Dysphagia, ataxia leading to frequent falls, and diplopia? Hello, I would like to ask which specialty should be consulted for these symptoms and what potential issues they may indicate. My family member has recently reported that she has become very prone to falling, often misjud...


Dr. Huang Xunying Reply:
Hello, please schedule an appointment with the neurology department as soon as possible. Thank you for your inquiry.

[Read More] Understanding Symptoms: Difficulty Swallowing, Coordination Issues, and Double Vision


Throat Issues: Understanding the Connection with Thyroid Problems

Throat issues I have hypothyroidism and goiter, and this past week, I've experienced several instances of choking while eating and drinking, which has never happened to me before. I would like to know if this is a throat issue or related to my thyroid. How can I temporarily ...


Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, please have an otolaryngologist assess your throat condition. Reminder: Online consultations do not equate to in-person medical visits and cannot provide definitive diagnoses or treatment recommendations. Changhua Hospital cares about you.

[Read More] Throat Issues: Understanding the Connection with Thyroid Problems


Can Family Consent to Remove a Ventilator for a Comatose Patient?

Is it possible to withdraw the ventilator? Hello, Doctor. My grandmother is about to turn 93 this year. On March 9, she suffered from choking and asphyxiation. The paramedics declared her without vital signs at the scene and subsequently transported her to the hospital for intuba...


Dr. Huang Hongshuo Reply:
Hello: If it is assessed that Grandma has spontaneous breathing but has throat swelling, there should be a chance to extubate after aggressive edema treatment. Currently, end-stage diseases include cancer, HIV/AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and end-stage diseases of t...

[Read More] Can Family Consent to Remove a Ventilator for a Comatose Patient?


Understanding Neck Tightness: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help

Neck tightness..? Hello Doctor: Recently, I have been feeling a tightness in my neck, as if someone is choking me. I also experience eye pain and dizziness, and I feel very tired every day. Even after getting eight hours of sleep, I still feel fatigued, and I wake up with body ac...


Dr. Lai Hexian Reply:
Hello, due to your concerns, additional information is needed for a proper assessment, making it difficult to determine what health issue you may have. For this condition of unknown etiology, it is still recommended that you consult a family medicine specialist.

[Read More] Understanding Neck Tightness: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help


Understanding Complex Symptoms: Which Specialist Should You See?

Disease? Problem Description: My mother is in her fifties and has recently been experiencing frequent discomfort and pain. Her symptoms are somewhat complex, and we are unsure which part of her body may be problematic. We would like to inquire about which specialty she should con...


Dr. Cai Jueren Reply:
It is recommended to first visit a family medicine physician for evaluation and assessment, and then determine the subsequent treatment plan based on the physician's advice.

[Read More] Understanding Complex Symptoms: Which Specialist Should You See?


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