Choking is when a person can't speak, cough, or breathe as something is blocking or obstructing the airway. No air can get through. If the airway stays blocked, it can lead to a loss of consciousness and death. Inability to breathe caused by a blockage in the throat or windpipe. Choking occurs when an object or food becomes lodged in the throat or windpipe, blocking airflow. If airflow is blocked, choking can be a medical emergency and needs urgent attention.
The main symptom is an inability to breathe or talk. There may be accompanying coughing. In severe cases, the skin may turn blue. The object may be dislodged from someone else by alternating between five back blows between the shoulder blades and five abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich manoeuvre).
Choking after drinking a glass of water: One Senior Citizen 62 years of age was admitted to the hospital for Choking in his lungs after drinking a glass of water at 11:00 pm on September 2.
He was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment and died unfortunately at 3 am on September 3.
His sudden death tells seniors that no matter what we do,
we must pay attention to two things,
One is to Prevent Falling, and the other is to Prevent Choking
1. After turning 60, we have to begin to train ourselves :
When drinking water:
Stop everything and concentrate on drinking water carefully and slowly
2. The elderly are prone to choking because the throat and swallowing muscles have degenerated and lack muscle strength.
3. The following information is passed on to us by a doctor who is still active in the medical field. It is worth referencing, especially if you or your relatives or friends have become elderly:
from pneumonia caused by choking on drinking water, milk, soup, etc., which is a common problem among the elderly.
If there are elderly people at home: Please Note:
1. Use a straw, if possible, while drinking water and keep your head down when swallowing.
2. Please drink thick soup instead of clear soup. Clear soup flows quickly and it is easy to choke when breathing is not smooth.
3. Please do not drink liquid while there is still solid food in your mouth, or while chewing.
If the water stays in the mouth for too long, it will flow into the trachea and cause choking if you are not careful.
4. Do not speak or turn your head when there is food or water in your mouth.
5. Old people do not have the same physical strength and endurance as young people.
If liquid or food enters the trachea and is coughed out, the face will turn red and the blood pressure will soar.
Sometimes choking can be fatal.
As you get older, you must drink water slowly, attentively, and cautiously.
Friends, take care of yourselves.
Inputs Courtesy: Veteran ENT specialist Doctor with 41 years of experience. He may be contacted through messages ONLY on the WhatsApp number +91 92433 01213.
Small advises on how to eat or drink among senior citizens. But very effective. My mother used to choke very often and must have finally died of choking when she was 88.
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