Is it possible to swallow something into your lungs

Anesthetists also take precautions to prevent aspiration, such as by protecting the airways with intubation after administering anesthesia. Most people occasionally aspirate something into their lungs, and certain issues can increase this risk.

A cross-sectional study investigated risk factors for aspiration in people who had experienced at least one stroke. The research indicated that participants with any of the following conditions were seven times more likely to develop aspiration:. Aspiration can introduce harmful foreign bodies or substances into the lungs, which can create additional problems. For example, when a person aspirates something that contains harmful bacteria into the lungs, this can lead to infection and inflammation , which characterize a condition called aspiration pneumonia.

Although there is no infection, chemical pneumonia causes inflammation and symptoms similar to those of aspiration pneumonia. A study reviewed the medical records of children who underwent endoscopy after having symptoms of aspiration. The researchers found that 49 of these children had aspirated fragments of nuts or seeds. Risk factors for aspiration in children can include :. Treatment options for children with chronic aspiration can include GERD medications, speech or occupational therapy, and surgery.

Aspiration does not always require medical treatment. However, if any of the following symptoms arise, call or go to the emergency room:. Symptoms of aspiration do not always present themselves immediately — they may take hours or days to develop. In some instances, treatment is unnecessary. If an object, such as a piece of food, is still in the lungs, the doctor may recommend a bronchoscopy.

For people aspiration pneumonia, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection. Dietary and lifestyle changes can also help treat chronic aspiration. Pain When Swallowing You should never feel pain when swallowing, unless you have a sore throat due to a cold or sickness.

If you are experiencing abnormal pain when swallowing, this may indicate an irregular swallow or other problems in the throat.

These are a few of many. Food and water are supposed to go down the esophagus and into the stomach. This gives food and water the opportunity to get into the lungs. Mild trouble breathing means:. Disc batteries are small, round batteries used in toys, cameras, watches, and other devices. Because of the chemicals they can release, they can cause serious problems if they are swallowed or get stuck in an ear or the nose. Small magnets used in household items and objects that contain a lot of lead such as bullets, buckshot, fishing weights and sinkers, and some toys also can cause problems if swallowed.

Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Based on your answers, you need emergency care. Call or other emergency services now. Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital.

Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. The following home treatment may help relieve discomfort after you swallow an object into your digestive tract.

Do not use syrup of ipecac. It is no longer used to treat poisonings. If you have syrup of ipecac in your home, call your pharmacist for instructions on how to dispose of it and throw away the container. Do not store anything else in the container. Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:.

To prevent children younger than 4 years from swallowing or inhaling objects:. For more information about how to prevent accidental poisoning, see the topic Poisoning. Keep the poison control centre number for your area readily available. Practice the following suggestions when eating, and teach them to your children.

Children may copy your behaviour. To be prepared for a choking emergency, take an approved first aid course such as those that are sponsored by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:. Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff.

Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Important Phone Numbers. Topic Overview When you swallow food, liquid, or an object, what is swallowed passes from your mouth through your throat and esophagus into your stomach. The situation may be more serious when: Signs of choking complete airway obstruction are present.

When the windpipe is blocked, air cannot move in and out of the lungs and the person cannot talk, cry, breathe, or cough. A blocked windpipe is a life-threatening emergency. The choking rescue procedure Heimlich manoeuvre is used to clear an obstruction in adults and children older than 1 year. Rescue back blows and chest thrusts are used in babies younger than 1 year.

Signs of a partially blocked windpipe are present. When the windpipe is partially blocked, some air can still move in and out of the lungs. The person may gag, cough, or have trouble breathing. Coughing will often pop out the food or object and relieve the symptoms.

The choking rescue procedure is not recommended when the windpipe is partially blocked. An object is stuck in the esophagus. A poisonous object has been swallowed, such as a wild mushroom, a plant, or a chemical. For more information, see the topic Poisoning. A button disc battery, magnet, or object with lead has been swallowed.

A swallowed object doesn't show up in the stool within 7 days. These include: Sharp objects, such as open safety pins, bones, toothpicks, needles, razor blades, or broken thermometers. Long objects. Large objects that may get stuck in the digestive tract and require removal. Check Your Symptoms Have you swallowed or inhaled an object? How old are you? Less than 12 years. Are you male or female?

Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. A little bit of bright red blood on the stool or on the toilet paper is often caused by mild irritation of the rectum. For example, this can happen if you have to strain hard to pass a stool or if you have a hemorrhoid. A large amount of blood in the stool may mean a more serious problem is present. For example, if there is a lot of blood in the stool, not just on the surface, you may need to call your doctor right away.

If there are just a few drops on the stool or in the diaper, you may need to let your doctor know today to discuss your symptoms. Black stools may mean you have blood in the digestive tract that may need treatment right away, or may go away on its own. Certain medicines and foods can affect the color of stool. Diarrhea medicines such as Pepto-Bismol and iron tablets can make the stool black. Eating lots of beets may turn the stool red.

Eating foods with black or dark blue food coloring can turn the stool black. If you take aspirin or some other medicine called a blood thinner that prevents blood clots, it can cause some blood in your stools. If you take a blood thinner and have ongoing blood in your stools, call your doctor to discuss your symptoms.

Disc batteries are small, round batteries used in toys, cameras, watches, and other devices. Because of the chemicals they can release, they can cause serious problems if they are swallowed or get stuck in an ear or the nose.

Small magnets used in household items and objects that contain a lot of lead such as bullets, buckshot, fishing weights and sinkers, and some toys also can cause problems if swallowed. Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them.

Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital. Based on your answers, you may need care right away.

The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. The following home treatment may help relieve discomfort after you swallow an object into your digestive tract. Do not use syrup of ipecac. It is no longer used to treat poisonings. If you have syrup of ipecac in your home, call your pharmacist for instructions on how to dispose of it and throw away the container.

Do not store anything else in the container. Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. For more information about how to prevent accidental poisoning, see the topic Poisoning. Keep the poison control center number for your area readily available. Practice the following suggestions when eating, and teach them to your children. Children may copy your behavior. To be prepared for a choking emergency, take an approved first aid course such as those that are sponsored by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:. Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Swallowed or Inhaled Objects. Topic Overview When you swallow food, liquid, or an object, what is swallowed passes from your mouth through your throat and esophagus into your stomach.

The situation may be more serious when: Signs of choking complete airway obstruction are present. When the windpipe is blocked, air cannot move in and out of the lungs and the person cannot talk, cry, breathe, or cough. A blocked windpipe is a life-threatening emergency.

The choking rescue procedure Heimlich maneuver is used to clear an obstruction in adults and children older than 1 year. Rescue back blows and chest thrusts are used in babies younger than 1 year. Signs of a partially blocked windpipe are present. When the windpipe is partially blocked, some air can still move in and out of the lungs. The person may gag, cough, or have trouble breathing. Coughing will often pop out the food or object and relieve the symptoms.

The choking rescue procedure is not recommended when the windpipe is partially blocked. An object is stuck in the esophagus. A poisonous object has been swallowed, such as a wild mushroom, a plant, or a chemical. For more information, see the topic Poisoning. A button disc battery, magnet, or object with lead has been swallowed.