Choking, Internal Medicine FAQ

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Choking on Medication: Risks and Symptoms to Watch For

Medication stuck in the throat? About an hour ago, I accidentally swallowed a pill that got stuck on the right side of my throat. At that moment, I felt difficulty breathing along with coughing. Later, I drank water to push the pill down. Is it possible that I accidentally pushed...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. The medication will not be pushed into the trachea; if it were to enter the trachea, your coughing would become more severe rather than alleviating. Therefore, the medication has already reached your stomach, so there is no need to worry. This ...

[Read More] Choking on Medication: Risks and Symptoms to Watch For


Should You Remove a 3.6 cm Thyroid Nodule? Understanding Your Options

Thyroid nodule Hello, during a recent physical examination, a 3.6 cm nodule was found on the left side of my thyroid. A fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed, and it was determined to be benign. However, I have recently been experiencing some discomfort in my throat, occasi...


Dr. Li Jian Reply:
If the thyroid nodule is larger than 3 centimeters and there are uncomfortable symptoms, you can consult a thyroid surgeon to discuss how to manage it. Thank you for your inquiry.

[Read More] Should You Remove a 3.6 cm Thyroid Nodule? Understanding Your Options


Understanding Systemic Pain and Itching: A Comprehensive Guide

Generalized tingling, itching, and numbness? Hello Doctor: I have been experiencing sneezing, runny nose, and constipation for the past year. I consulted a gastroenterologist and underwent a colonoscopy and endoscopy, which revealed colon polyps, gastric polyps, and gastroesophag...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. I recommend starting with a visit to a family medicine physician. Since you are experiencing some allergy symptoms, if you are truly concerned about potential issues with your immune function, you may also consider seeing an allergist or immunol...

[Read More] Understanding Systemic Pain and Itching: A Comprehensive Guide


Choking on Pills: Understanding Risks and Symptoms of Medication Ingestion

Choking on medication? I went to see a doctor because of a sore throat. Previously, I had a vitamin C tablet get stuck in my throat, so I have been avoiding pills since then. However, during my recent visit, the doctor prescribed me pills again. After picking up the medication, I...


Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: If a medication is lodged in the trachea, it can potentially cause aspiration pneumonia. A chest X-ray can be performed at the hospital. Common symptoms of aspiration pneumonia may include coughing, wheezing, and even fever. Thank you for your message!

[Read More] Choking on Pills: Understanding Risks and Symptoms of Medication Ingestion


Choking on Saliva: Risks of Aspiration and When to Seek Help

Choking on saliva while swallowing, leading to difficulty breathing? About twenty minutes ago, I choked on my own saliva. This isn't the first time it has happened; each time, I cough to the point where I feel like I can't breathe and I'm close to suffocating. This...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Our trachea is quite sensitive, and even if we choke on water, it is often just a small amount that can be coughed out quickly. The amount of saliva is even less, making it unlikely to choke on a large volume of water, so there is no need to wo...

[Read More] Choking on Saliva: Risks of Aspiration and When to Seek Help


Choking on Capsules: Understanding Risks and Remedies

Choking on a capsule? This morning, I swallowed a capsule that got stuck on the left side of my throat. Later, I tried to push it down by eating something and drank a lot of water. I ended up coughing so hard that I vomited, and I'm not sure if I expelled the capsule as well...


Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: If you still have symptoms, please go to the hospital for evaluation to determine the issue. Thank you for your message!

[Read More] Choking on Capsules: Understanding Risks and Remedies


Concerns After Choking on Lutein Capsules: What You Need to Know

Choking on lutein capsules? After having breakfast in the morning, I took a lutein capsule, but it seems I didn't drink enough water. At first, I felt it stuck on the left side, and then I started to feel nauseous and kept coughing. I'm not sure if I vomited it out, but...


Dr. Qiu Junwei Reply:
If you feel increasingly short of breath, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist to determine the possibility of pneumonia. If you only have a sensation of something stuck in your throat, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist near your home can help...

[Read More] Concerns After Choking on Lutein Capsules: What You Need to Know


Concerns About Choking on Pills: Risks and Solutions for Safe Swallowing

Choking on a pill? Hello, Doctor: Recently, I have been taking medication frequently, but sometimes I am afraid that the pills might go down the trachea. After taking the medication, I often feel a sensation of something stuck in my throat, and sometimes I cough. Could this be as...


Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: Aspiration pneumonia can cause coughing, fever, and shortness of breath. A chest X-ray is necessary. As for whether Codemin can be opened and dissolved in water, please consult a pharmacist. Thank you for your message!

[Read More] Concerns About Choking on Pills: Risks and Solutions for Safe Swallowing


How to Help Someone Choking on Saliva: Emergency Tips for Families

Choking on saliva? Hello, after an elder in the family choked on saliva, they coughed violently until their face turned red, then their eyes rolled back and they fainted, becoming limp and unresponsive in the chair. Fortunately, after several seconds, they finally regained consci...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, it is recommended that if elderly individuals have excessive saliva, they should lie on their side to allow the saliva to flow out, which can help prevent choking. Additionally, you can prepare a pulse oximeter at home to monitor the oxygen levels of the elderly. You may a...

[Read More] How to Help Someone Choking on Saliva: Emergency Tips for Families


Understanding Choking Hazards: Symptoms and When to Seek Help

Choking issues? Hello, doctor. While I was having dinner, I suddenly felt the urge to talk and laugh, and it seemed like the food I had just chewed suddenly slipped down. I also felt like something was running up to my nose, but I didn't cough immediately. After eating a few...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the human body has certain physiological structures, such as the epiglottis, that help prevent choking. Therefore, even if young people choke, the likelihood of food entering the airway is low. Additionally, since you have not experienced persistent coughing or symptoms of...

[Read More] Understanding Choking Hazards: Symptoms and When to Seek Help


Understanding Aspiration Pneumonia Symptoms After Choking

Regarding the issue of choking and aspiration into the trachea? If you experienced choking while drinking hot kimchi soup and felt a sensation of fluid flowing through the right lung area, accompanied by severe coughing, you should be aware of the following potential symptoms of ...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, if you are not currently experiencing a persistent cough, the likelihood of aspiration pneumonia should be very low. You can observe for 2-3 days, and if there are no symptoms such as fever or cough, it should be fine. Thank you for your question.

[Read More] Understanding Aspiration Pneumonia Symptoms After Choking


Understanding Choking: When to Seek Medical Attention for Throat Issues

Regarding choking? Hello Dr. Hong, Recently, while drinking at home, I experienced discomfort and itchiness in my throat after eating fried food and then drinking something cold. This caused me to feel like I was choking. At that moment, I couldn't hold it in and ended up ...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, the human body has mechanisms to prevent choking, such as the epiglottis. Therefore, unless there is a loss of consciousness, it is unlikely to aspirate into the trachea. Additionally, since you did not experience any particular discomfort afterw...

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


Concerns About Aspiration Pneumonia After Choking on Food

Choking on braised snacks without severe coughing? Hello, doctor! I would like to ask about an incident that happened today, November 16th, around 6 PM during dinner at school. While eating braised food, I choked on something, possibly the broth or a small piece of noodle. I coug...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the normal airway has some mechanisms to prevent aspiration, such as the epiglottis, so it is not easy to cause aspiration pneumonia. Based on your description, there should be no signs of aspiration pneumonia. Thank you for your inquiry.

[Read More] Concerns About Aspiration Pneumonia After Choking on Food


Understanding Unexplained Symptoms: Which Specialist Should You See?

My mother is 52 years old and has various health issues. Which specialty should she see? Symptoms: I often smell irritating odors (such as sewage, chili pepper, and a cool scent) and sometimes cough due to these irritating smells. Occasionally, it feels like I am being burned by ...


Dr. Li Jian Reply:
If there are abnormal skin sensations, one can consult a neurologist. If there are abnormalities in the sense of smell, one can see an otolaryngologist.

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


Choking on Snacks: Understanding Throat Discomfort After Eating

Choking on a Doritos chip? While I was eating Doritos at a convenience store and talking, a smaller piece unexpectedly went down the wrong way. I didn't experience severe coughing, but swallowing felt different than usual. Initially, it didn't go down, but I inadvertent...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, it seems that it was initially lodged near the throat and later entered the esophagus. I recommend that if you don't experience any significant discomfort afterwards, there is likely no need to worry. Thank you for your question.

[Read More] Choking on Snacks: Understanding Throat Discomfort After Eating


Understanding Swallowing Difficulties: When to Seek Medical Advice

Swallowing difficulties Hello Dr. Hong, I would like to ask you about a recent issue. I've been drinking soup in larger sips, and occasionally I feel like I can't swallow it properly, almost as if I'm choking (or swallowing air along with it). What could this indic...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, theoretically, at your age, you shouldn't have any swallowing disorders. I wonder if you drink alcohol, smoke, or chew betel nut? If you continue to feel uncomfortable, you may want to see an otolaryngologist. If the ENT examination is normal, you might need to consul...

[Read More] Understanding Swallowing Difficulties: When to Seek Medical Advice


Understanding Post-Choking Discomfort: Is It Aspiration Pneumonia?

Discomfort after choking? Hello, Dr. Hong. Yesterday, on November 30th, while eating Korean hot pot, I accidentally inhaled some soup. Half a day later, I experienced mild pain in my chest and back, a decreased appetite (eating more makes me feel a bit nauseous), and occasional s...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, it seems that the inflammation in your throat is primarily caused by the broth, and it is unlikely to have resulted in aspiration pneumonia. I recommend continuing to monitor the situation, and seek medical attention only if you experience sympto...

[Read More] Understanding Post-Choking Discomfort: Is It Aspiration Pneumonia?


How to Handle a Choking Sensation After Accidental Ingestion

Accidental ingestion of foreign objects? Recently, I have a puppy at home and noticed that it has ticks. However, when I applied the medication, I forgot to wear a mask. After applying the medication, I washed my hands and cleaned up, but I felt something strange in my throat, as...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, it does not seem like an accidental ingestion. Additionally, whether it is a tick or any other object you came into contact with, the likelihood of it getting stuck in your throat is very low unless it is something sharp like a fishbone. I sugges...

[Read More] How to Handle a Choking Sensation After Accidental Ingestion


Choking on Pears: What to Do and When to Worry

Please ask after choking? Hello, I accidentally choked while eating a pear and coughed a bit afterward. I still felt like something was stuck in my throat, so I induced vomiting, and now I feel fine. However, I'm a bit worried because I was taking cold medicine and had just ...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, if something is aspirated into the trachea, it typically causes a very intense sensation of foreign body obstruction and triggers severe coughing. Based on your description, it seems that the object did not enter the trachea, so there is no need for induced vomiting; just ...

[Read More] Choking on Pears: What to Do and When to Worry


Choking Hazards: Understanding Risks of Inhaled Water and Throat Issues

Choking issues? Hello, I accidentally drank water when my throat was very dry and suddenly started talking to my family, which caused me to choke. I coughed for a while, and later I felt a bit of water or phlegm in my throat, so I intentionally coughed again. Suddenly, I felt a s...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, since humans have an epiglottic cartilage that helps prevent choking and aspiration pneumonia, based on your described symptoms, it seems that you do not have aspiration pneumonia. Thank you for your inquiry.

[Read More] Choking Hazards: Understanding Risks of Inhaled Water and Throat Issues


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