2023-04-15 17:04:00
Most of our saliva has gone “on the other side”, but this worsens when it is food that prevents us from even speaking. To avoid a bigger problem, learn what to do if your child or an adult chokes on food, you could save their life.
According to United States National Library of Medicinewe speak of choking or suffocation, when a food or small object is trapped in the throat, obstructing the airways and preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs, which can lead to fatal damage.
Children are more prone to either putting things in their mouths or eating “delicate” foods, such as nuts, grapes, or sausage. However, adults are not exempt, although in those cases those responsible are usually pieces of food.
The most common sign of choking, is to put the hands to the throat. In the case of little ones, they may also try to get your attention by touching you or waving their hands. Either way, you should always keep an eye out for them.
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If you notice him having trouble breathing, gasping or gasping, unable to speak, cry, or make sounds, blue skin or lips, terrified appearance, limpness, or loss of consciousness, act immediately.
What to do if a child chokes?
If you notice that your child is choking, act immediately. The longer you go without oxygen, the greater the damage. If you are with someone else, ask them to call 911 while you apply first aid.
According to Nemours Foundation, if the child feels that he is choking, but coughs and can speak or breathe, it means that his airway is not completely obstructed. In these cases, you can watch him to verify that he recovers, this usually happens after a coughing fit.
Avoid reaching in to remove whatever is causing the obstruction or patting it on the back, you could make the situation worse by pushing the object.
If your child cannot breathe, speak or make sounds or is turning blue, apply the Heimlich maneuver or abdominal thrusts. These are some steps to follow, according to the Mayo Clinic Medical Institute:
1. Kneel behind your child and wrap your arms around his waist, leaning forward slightly.
2. Make a fist with one hand and place it slightly above your belly button.
3. Grasp the fist with the other hand and press hard into the abdomen with a quick upward thrust, as if trying to lift it up.
4. Perform six to ten abdominal thrusts until the obstruction is released.
This maneuver works for children older than one year and adults, as long as they are conscious. Of course, take care not to apply too much force so as not to damage your ribs or internal organs.
If your child is unconscious or has stopped breathing, CPR is necessary. If you don’t know how to do it and no one around you knows, wait for medical help to arrive.
Photo: iStock
What to do if a baby chokes?
When a baby chokes, either because of an object or food, it is important to clear the airways, however, we cannot apply the same technique as in older children. In these cases, it is best to call 911 and perform first aid sitting down.
1. Sit and place your baby tummy down on your forearm and place this sling on your thigh. His head and neck should be supported with your hand.
2. Hits baby firmly but gently in the middle of the back with the palm of the hand (fingers should point up so as not to hit your head). Do it 5 times.
3. If she is still not breathing, turn the baby onto her back on your forearm and thigh, with her head lower than her trunk. Using your index and middle fingers, apply 5 quick compressions to the center of the sternum.
Experts recommend pressing down ½ to 1 inch and letting the chest rise between each compression.
4. If it doesn’t work, repeat step 2 and 3, while medical attention arrives.
5. In case you manage to clear the airways, but the baby is not breathing, apply CPR.
Photo: iStock
What to do if an adult chokes?
If a choking person is able to cough forcefully, it is recommended that they continue to do so, otherwise the following pfirst aid. If so, the recommendations are the same as for a child older than 1 year: apply the Heimlich maneuver or abdominal compressions.
But what to do if you find yourself alone? In these cases, the ideal is to call 911. Later, try to apply abdominal compressions: put a fist above your belly button and grab it with the other hand. Find a hard surface and lean over it, pushing your fist in and out.
Photo: iStock
Why is it important to act fast if someone chokes?
The main problem with choking or suffocation is that the airway is blocked, so the oxygen it does not reach the lungs and brain. If there is no oxygen flow for more than four minutes, there is a risk of brain damage or death.
For this reason it is essential to act immediately against signs of suffocation, as this could save the life of the person affected.
Likewise, it is important that, regardless of whether or not you have children, you learn to perform the Heimlich maneuver and give first aid, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), to deal with any emergency.
And don’t forget that, regardless of whether your child or the affected person recovered after the compressions, they should be checked by a doctor, especially if they were without breathing for some time.
Finally, the best way to reduce the choking complications, is to prevent it. For this, make sure that children do not have access to small objects and that all their toys are safe for their age, with no detachable parts.
Similarly, serve small pieces of food (cut grapes in four, sausages into squares or croissants), in addition to avoiding those that can cause choking (candy, gum or gummies, popcorn, large pieces of meat or cheese )… and teach your child to eat sitting down and not talk or laugh with his mouth full.
Now that you know the importance of acting on time and what to do if your child or an adult chokesfollow these tips, but don’t forget to seek immediate medical attention.
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