From the Guidelines
The immediate treatment for choking after eating is to perform the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) as described in the most recent guidelines 1. When someone is choking and cannot speak, breathe, or cough forcefully, it is essential to act quickly to dislodge the object from their airway.
Steps to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver:
- Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist.
- Make a fist with one hand and place it slightly above their navel.
- Grasp your fist with your other hand and press hard into the abdomen with quick, upward thrusts.
- Continue until the object is forced out or the person becomes unconscious. For a conscious choking victim who is obese or pregnant, chest thrusts may be more effective, as noted in studies on choking prevention among children 2, 1, 3. If the person becomes unconscious, lower them to the ground, call emergency services, and begin CPR if trained, following the principles outlined in guidelines for adult single rescuer basic life support 4. It is crucial to remember that choking is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children, especially those who are 3 years of age or younger, and that education and safety measures are key to prevention 1, 3. Never slap a choking person's back while they are upright as this may cause the object to become more firmly lodged in the airway, and for infants under one year, a modified approach using back blows and chest thrusts is recommended instead of abdominal thrusts. The Heimlich maneuver works by using the air trapped in the lungs to create pressure that can dislodge the blocking object, and it is a lifesaving technique that everyone should know, especially given the risks associated with food-related choking 2.
From the Research
Immediate Treatment for Choking after Eating
The immediate treatment for choking after eating involves a series of steps to relieve the blockage in the airway.
- The Heimlich maneuver is a widely recommended technique for relieving choking, as it can help dislodge the object from the airway 5, 6, 7.
- The maneuver involves a series of abdominal thrusts that can help expel the object from the airway, and it is considered an effective emergency procedure for relieving choking and asphyxia 5.
- The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association have advocated for the use of the Heimlich maneuver as the primary technique for relieving choking, as it is considered the most effective method for dislodging objects from the airway 7.
Special Considerations
- In some cases, the Heimlich maneuver may not be effective, and other techniques such as backslaps or chest thrusts may be considered 6, 7.
- However, these alternative techniques are not recommended as the primary method for relieving choking, as they may not be as effective as the Heimlich maneuver 7.
- In addition, the use of the Heimlich maneuver in certain situations, such as near drowning, is not recommended as the primary treatment, as it may not be effective in removing aspirated liquid from the airways 8.
Recent Findings
- A recent case report found that the Heimlich maneuver and chest compression can be effective in relieving difficult mask ventilation caused by an asymptomatic laryngeal mass 9.
- This suggests that the Heimlich maneuver may be a useful technique in a variety of situations where airway obstruction is a concern, and highlights the importance of being aware of the potential causes of airway obstruction and the most effective techniques for relieving them.