Question 1

is it possible for an adult to "dry drown" from choking on a cup of water?

Accepted Answer

Theoretically: Anything which triggers a laryngospasm can cause "dry drowning".  I believe there would have to be an underlying illness for that to occur however, most people have a reflex in the larynx to prevent the water from going into the lungs, but if this spasms (usually from prolonged or persistent exposure to noxious gasses or fluids) it could lead to death.

Question 2

water went down the wrong pipe. was really coughing. should i be concerned about dry drowning?

Accepted Answer

: No

Question 3

i am really afraid of dying from a glass of water. i am afraid of secondary drowning or dry drowning. any help?

Accepted Answer

Fixations: You need to find a mental health professional to guide you with this issue. If this fixation over a specific item is intruding in your thoughts, only investigating where the idea originated and what prompted it will help. The idea itself may be just a sign of a deeper issue you cannot realize on your own.

Question 4

my daughter 4 years of age swallowed alot of water. what to look out for for dry drowning? i have heard about it.

Accepted Answer

No: Excess water ingestion can lead to a dilution of their salt/water balance &amp; in rare cases might cause a seizure. I cannot accept the idea it would lead to a "dry drowning".

Question 5

is dry drowning possible for a 7 year old who choke on a glass of water? she threw the water up right away while coughing.

Accepted Answer

Highly unlikely : She threw up the water by coughing and if she still had water in her trachea she would have continued coughing until she got out most of the water. It is very unlikely that enough would be retained to compromise pulmonary function.

Question 6

can you dry drown from getting swallowing water down the wrong way, even if you supposedly cough it back up?

Accepted Answer

No: The small amount of water will be absorbed into the body.  No drowning will occur.  Thanks for trusting HealthTap!

Question 7

when i was drinking a glass of water, it went down the "wrong pipe " now i'm paranoid about dry drowning. can this happen?

Accepted Answer

You're ok: If you are no longer coughing, you are fine. This is a common occurrence. Many people have this happen to them and they're just fine.

Question 8

i am paranoid about dying from dry drowning.
i drank a glass of water, could it have gone the wrong pipe. i didn't cough. pl help me?

Accepted Answer

Mental health: Clearly you are suffering from paranoia and anxiety. I strongly recommend you seek qualified mental health attention.

Question 9

i have anxiety. doc said i was fine.
but i have the feeling that water went the wrong path. will i dry drown. doc said i would cough! details needed?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety disorder: You will not "dry drown". Please consult your mental health provider for more aggressive management of your anxiety disorder before it becomes crippling.

Question 10

i gargled with salt water and a little bit of it accidentally went down the wrong pipe and could be in my lungs. can i dry drown? i'm panicking now..

Accepted Answer

Aspiration: Mechanical aspiration or choking is very common and a good cough reflex is usually all that is needed. Sometimes, due to small food particles may result in prolonged irritative cough until the foreign body gets dislodged. I would still suggest that you mention this episode with the subsequent panic attack to your treating physician.

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Doctor answers about:

Adult dry drown water

A member asked:

Is it possible for an adult to "dry drown" from choking on a cup of water?

A member asked:

Water went down the wrong pipe. was really coughing. should i be concerned about dry drowning?

A member asked:

I am really afraid of dying from a glass of water. i am afraid of secondary drowning or dry drowning. any help?

A member asked:

My daughter 4 years of age swallowed alot of water. what to look out for for dry drowning? i have heard about it.

A member asked:

Is dry drowning possible for a 7 year old who choke on a glass of water? she threw the water up right away while coughing.

A member asked:

Can you dry drown from getting swallowing water down the wrong way, even if you supposedly cough it back up?

A member asked:

When i was drinking a glass of water, it went down the "wrong pipe " now i'm paranoid about dry drowning. can this happen?

A member asked:

I am paranoid about dying from dry drowning. i drank a glass of water, could it have gone the wrong pipe. i didn't cough. pl help me?

A member asked:

I have anxiety. doc said i was fine. but i have the feeling that water went the wrong path. will i dry drown. doc said i would cough! details needed?

A member asked:

I gargled with salt water and a little bit of it accidentally went down the wrong pipe and could be in my lungs. can i dry drown? i'm panicking now..

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