Choking Cough Symptom: What It Means and How to Find Relief

Common Causes of Choking Cough

Various factors can contribute to choking cough, often involving issues with swallowing, muscle control, or anatomical defects.

• Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
• Eating too quickly or talking while eating
• Lying down right after meals
• Drinking excessive alcohol
• Neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's, stroke)
• Muscle disorders (e.g., muscular dystrophy)
• Esophageal abnormalities (e.g., GERD)
• Anatomical defects (e.g., cleft palate in children)

Conditions that Cause Choking Cough

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Neurological diseases (stroke, ALS, multiple sclerosis)
• Obstructive sleep apnea (may cause choking cough while sleeping)
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
• Foreign body aspiration
• Allergic reactions causing throat swelling

Related Symptoms of Choking Cough

Choking cough can be accompanied by symptoms that affect breathing and the throat, signaling potential difficulty clearing airways.

• Difficulty breathing
• Bluish lips or nails
• Weak or ineffective cough
• Wheezing
• Gagging or vomiting
• Sudden waking from sleep (especially in choking cough at night)
• Sensation of something stuck in the throat

When to See a Doctor?

Seek immediate medical attention if:

• The person cannot speak, breathe, or cough effectively
• Lips or nails turn blue
• The cough is constant or recurring without obvious reason
• Episodes happen during sleep or lying down
• You suspect aspiration or a swallowed object

Diagnosis and Tests for Choking Cough

Proper diagnosis involves physical exams and imaging to assess the airways, swallowing functions, and underlying conditions.

• Physical examination and history
• Laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy to view the airway
• Swallowing tests (barium swallow or modified barium study)
• Chest X-ray or CT scan to detect blockages
• Esophageal manometry (for esophageal motility disorders)

Treatment and Management for Choking Cough

Managing a choking cough includes both immediate actions to clear the airway and seeking professional care when necessary.

Self-Care

• Cough continuously to dislodge the object causing choking
• Perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself if needed

Seek Medical Attention Immediately if you notice;

• The choked person stops breathing or making noise
• Bluish tint to the lips or nails
• Weak cough

Healthcare Professionals Involved

• Primary care physician: Specializes in acute and chronic illnesses and preventive care.
• Speech therapist: Evaluates and treats voice, speech, language, or swallowing disorders.
• Otolaryngologist: Diagnoses and treats ear, nose, and throat diseases.
• Emergency medicine specialist: Manages urgent medical conditions.

Remember, prompt action is crucial during choking episodes. If you suspect choking, seek immediate help and follow appropriate steps to prevent complications. If you have any specific concerns, consult a healthcare professional.

The Heimlich maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is an emergency technique used to dislodge an object from a person's airway when they are choking. It was developed by Dr. Henry Heimlich in the 1970s and has since become a widely recognised method for saving lives during choking incidents.

Here's how the Heimlich maneuver is performed:

Identify Choking

• If someone is choking, they may be unable to speak or breathe properly.
• Encourage the person to cough forcefully to try to dislodge the object.
• If coughing doesn't work, move on to the next steps.

Stand Behind the Person

• Position yourself behind the choking person.
• Make sure they are standing or sitting upright.

Locate the Navel (Belly Button)

• Place your arms around the person's waist.
• Form a fist with one hand and place the thumb side against the middle of the abdomen, just above the navel.

Perform Abdominal Thrusts

• Grasp your fist with your other hand.
• Quickly and forcefully thrust inward and upward into the person's abdomen.
• The goal is to create enough pressure to expel the obstructing object.

Repeat

• Continue performing abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged or the person becomes unconscious.
• If the person loses consciousness, lower them gently to the ground and begin CPR if necessary.

Seek Medical Help

• Even if the object is dislodged successfully, it's essential to seek medical attention afterwards.
• Choking incidents can cause internal injuries or complications.

Remember these important points:

Adaptations for Different Ages

• For infants (under 1 year old), use back blows and chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.
• For pregnant individuals or obese individuals, position your hands higher, just below the chest.

Call for Help

• If you're alone, perform the Heimlich maneuver first and then call for emergency assistance.

The Heimlich maneuver is a valuable skill to learn, especially if you're often around young children or older adults. Proper training and practice are essential to perform it effectively. If you suspect someone is choking, act promptly to prevent complications and save a life.

Prevention of Choking Cough

Children

• Child-proof your home as much as possible
• Keep small objects away from young children during their oral phase of development
• Educate older children about safe items to put in their mouths

Older Adults

• Take smaller bites
• Chew food thoroughly
• Eat slowly
• Remove distractions during meals

Common Choking Hazards

• Latex balloons: A leading cause of death in children under 6
• Small objects: Marbles, coins, and small toys
• Disc batteries: Especially dangerous due to potential leakage of toxic contents
• Caps: Pen or marker caps.
• Safety pins

Home Remedies of Choking Cough

• Honey with warm water (for soothing irritated throat post-cough)
• Steam inhalation to ease airway inflammation
• Avoid spicy or acidic foods that may trigger reflux-related coughing
• Elevate head during sleep to reduce night-time episodes

Lifestyle Changes for Choking Cough

• Adopt a reflux-friendly diet
• Practice mindful eating
• Avoid eating before bedtime to reduce choking cough at night
• Regular swallowing therapy if diagnosed with dysphagia
• Weight management to reduce reflux risk
• Quit smoking to reduce throat irritation