Question 1

how can you save your life if your are choking on food alone?

Accepted Answer

Self heimlich: Perform a self heinrich maneuver or do it against a chair 
find anyone else nearby who might be able to do it.

Question 2

what can i do to stop choking on food? eat smaller or bigger bites?

Accepted Answer

Smaller: Eat small bites and slowly.  It needs to be coated with saliva for better digestion and lubrication down your esophagus.

Question 3

is it possible to be choking on food, have the heimlich and not have the food fly out?

Accepted Answer

Depends: CPR will give you the best guidelines on what to do in the instance when someone  is choking and/ coughing hard.  It is imperative that you learn bls, basic life support. You can find classes at your local hospital, many community programs and the american red cross chapter nearest you.

Question 4

everytime my boyfriend eats he gags. its not from choking on food its just from eating. it makes him nausious.  is it acid reflux?

Accepted Answer

See below: This may very well be acid reflux. The other possibility is aspiration, less likely. He should be evaluated.

Question 5

in case of choking on food when it just got started before it gets serious, what is better looking up and coughing or looking down and coughing to get it out to avoid requiring heimlich maneuver?

Accepted Answer

: Look up if you have the time, the straightest path out is best. I wound't make a point of it though. Here is an article for you to read : https://www.healthline.com/health/food-stuck-in-throat

Question 6

need doctor's help! what do you do if a 5-8 year old starts choking on food?

Accepted Answer

Call 911: Call 911 and use-the heimlich maneuver.  Wrap arms around abdomen with thumb side of hand pressing into belly button and thrust upwards towards ribs.

Question 7

why is gerd making it so hard for me to eat? i also have anxiety about choking on food but i really need to eat

Accepted Answer

Unclear: Many people with GERD have the sensation food is stuck in the throat. Probably related to the brain mis-perceiving sensory information from the throat area. It is sometimes referred to as a globus sensation. It's exact cause is really unknown but it is not dangerous. If you're really concerned something is wrong, see your primary care doc for a more complete eval. Hope this helps!

Question 8

how high is the risk of choking (on food) while under anesthetics if you have gastroparesis and frequent acid reflux?

Accepted Answer

NPO: Patients are kept from eating or drinking before surgery for 6-12 hours whenever possible to prevent this--reflux of stomach acid can still occur. Reflux risk is often reduced with h2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acidity. In emergency cases, meds and endotracheal intubation do their best to prevent aspiration.

Question 9

help me get how my anxiety can be so bad keep choking but er said i'm fine choking on food pills to were i can't breathe hard to eat dr say i'm ok?

Accepted Answer

ANXIETY/PHOBIA WB: You need to purchase the anxiety and phobia workbook . This will  explain medication , diet and alternative strategies.  I usually start a short acting. Medication like Xanax/Ativan/klonopin. And a long acting medication like Zoloft or cymbalta (duloxetine). Relaxation techniques like meditation EFT and EMDR.

Question 10

in case of choking on food is it better to look up towards roof and cough or is it better to bend neck forward and cough the get the food out?

Accepted Answer

: It is best to do the Heimlich maneuver if choking.  If you are with someone choking on food grab them at the base of the rib cage from behind in a hug, make a fist with one hand, holding it with the other and quickly  and forcefully pull in/up. The force of your breathe will dislodge whatever you are choking on.  If alone and choking Push your lower ribs into a corner of a table/chair forcefully.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Choking on food

A member asked:

How can you save your life if your are choking on food alone?

A member asked:

What can i do to stop choking on food? eat smaller or bigger bites?

A member asked:

Is it possible to be choking on food, have the heimlich and not have the food fly out?

A member asked:

Everytime my boyfriend eats he gags. its not from choking on food its just from eating. it makes him nausious. is it acid reflux?

A member asked:

In case of choking on food when it just got started before it gets serious, what is better looking up and coughing or looking down and coughing to get it out to avoid requiring heimlich maneuver?

A member asked:

Need doctor's help! what do you do if a 5-8 year old starts choking on food?

A member asked:

Why is gerd making it so hard for me to eat? i also have anxiety about choking on food but i really need to eat

A member asked:

How high is the risk of choking (on food) while under anesthetics if you have gastroparesis and frequent acid reflux?

A member asked:

Help me get how my anxiety can be so bad keep choking but er said i'm fine choking on food pills to were i can't breathe hard to eat dr say i'm ok?

A member asked:

In case of choking on food is it better to look up towards roof and cough or is it better to bend neck forward and cough the get the food out?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?