HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

When someone is choking, is it safe to hit them on their back? i was taught never do that because it can further lodge the item. what to do?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

If a person is able : To cough, one should not interfere. However, if a person has no ability to move air in or out or to cough then intervention may be life saving. Here is some good information: http://www.Nlm.Nih.Gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000047.Htm. I would encourage you to take a class on this - it may save a life. Take care.

Dr Zebro (formerly Woldegiorgis) and another doctor agreed

Answered 9/11/2013

4.9k views

Thank
Show 1 more comment

Related Questions

A member asked:

When I'm laughing at first it's fine. Then It hits me when I'm laughing I start choking sometimes because loss of air .. Should I go to a ER?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Is methyliprednisolone and inhaler safe to take with ifib history and taking metoprolol 0.25 got choking from smoky wood fire 3 w and still continue ?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Asked my dr about sleep vomiting choking at night. Told me to come back if it happens again. Should I be more persistent? 12 times/ 3 yrs.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Baby 6 months, eating&teething. Are teething biscuits safe with regards to choking? And are cheese curls soft chips any harm? She loves them but I get worried if they wont have any effects on her health?

5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Choking sensation and pain at the back of the head and a mild chest pain what is this sickness. Its been?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

Would it be a problem to pat someone's back if they're choking on nothing?
Whenever my 13 Y.O son goes to sleep on his back he wakes up feeling like he is choking? Why is this? Anyway way to help it?
What causes upper back pain with choking sensation?
Can't sleep cause keep choking on mucus, keep swallowing but it keeps coming back. What can I do?
My son ate some fried chicken, and a small piece is lodged in the left part of the back of his throat. He is not choking. He can breathe, speak and swallow....there is no pain. What can we do to remedy this?

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
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.