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Asphyxiation Due to Food

Asphyxiation occurs when the body experiences a sudden drop in its level of oxygen. Often the cause for this is a piece of food blocking the airway. Choking on food can cause victims to lose consciousness quickly, but there are simple strategies that can be used to clear the airway and restore normal breathing.

  1. Significance

    • Although adults--especially senior citizens--can and do choke on food, children seem to be the most vulnerable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year in the United States, more than 17,000 children are treated for choking. Most of these victims are under 4 years of age.

    Identification

    • The universal sign of asphyxiation due to food is grabbing at the throat. The victim may make a wheezing or gasping sound. However, if the victim still can talk or cough loudly, you may not need to take any action. The victim is still getting air and will most likely be able to clear the obstruction on her own.

    Time Frame

    • If you see someone choking on food, you must move quickly to help him. Permanent brain damage can occur within two minutes of not being able to get oxygen. Death can occur in just three minutes.

    Treatment

    • The best known treatment for choking is the Heimlich maneuver. Stand or kneel directly behind the victim and place your arms around her waist. Position the thumb of one hand just above the victim's belly button. Place your other hand over the first hand and squeeze sharply in and up. This should produce a cough that will clear the obstruction.

    Treatment Part 2

    • If the victim loses consciousness, lower him to the ground on his back and continue with sharp abdominal thrusts, checking after every five thrusts to see if the food has been dispelled into the mouth and/or to see if breathing has been restored. Once the obstruction is cleared and the victim is breathing again, remove the food from the mouth and place the victim on his side.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The most common culprits in choking cases are fish and chicken bones, gristle from steak, seeds in grapes or cherries, chewing gum, hard candy and hot dogs. Hot dogs seem to be especially risky for young children and should always be cut into small, bite-size pieces.

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