topic Re: Choking when all alone in Wellness

Choking when all alone

LilacTree — Tue, 03 May 2016 15:50:56 GMT

I've had several very scary incidences in the last couple of years. I finally decided to research it. For me, it happens only when I'm drinking liquids.

I found several sites that recommend putting one's hand over one's mouth and breathing only through the nose. I haven't had a chance to try it yet (and hope I don't have to).

What I am doing now is every time I have to drink, I sip very slowly and as I swallow I put my hand over my mouth and breathe through my nose.

Just info for anyone who might suffer from this symptom.

Re: Choking when all alone

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 03 May 2016 15:58:25 GMT

You can administer the Heimlich maneuver on yourself with your hands or a chair.

I inadvertently did this to myself when I was about 4 years old and choking on a nectarine. I ran to my mom, who was lying on a chaise outside with me, and threw myself over her lap, which forced the air out of my lungs and ejected the fruit. Later I learned how to do it more efficiently in multiple CPR classes.

Re: Choking when all alone

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:00:56 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
I've had several very scary incidences in the last couple of years. I finally decided to research it. For me, it happens only when I'm drinking liquids.

I found several sites that recommend putting one's hand over one's mouth and breathing only through the nose. I haven't had a chance to try it yet (and hope I don't have to).

What I am doing now is every time I have to drink, I sip very slowly and as I swallow I put my hand over my mouth and breathe through my nose.

Just info for anyone who might suffer from this symptom.

@LilacTree

Years ago I started using a straw after my dentist and I discussed how easily my teeth stained, and he asked me to try it.

Choking can often be caused by swallowing air while drinking. A straw eliminates that problem ... unless you keep sucking after all the liquid is gone ... lol.

Try using straws, just for the heck of it.

Re: Choking when all alone

LilacTree — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:07:30 GMT

@ChynnaBlue wrote:
You can administer the Heimlich maneuver on yourself with your hands or a chair.

I inadvertently did this to myself when I was about 4 years old and choking on a nectarine. I ran to my mom, who was lying on a chaise outside with me, and threw myself over her lap, which forced the air out of my lungs and ejected the fruit. Later I learned how to do it more efficiently in multiple CPR classes.

Choking with food and choking on fluids are very different. The H maneuver is not recommended for choking on fluids. Most of what I read indicated the best thing to do is let the individual fight it out. Occasionally someone will faint and that relaxes the muscles in the throat and allows breathing again. Fortunately that hasn't happened to me yet.

Re: Choking when all alone

LilacTree — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:10:24 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@LilacTree wrote:
I've had several very scary incidences in the last couple of years. I finally decided to research it. For me, it happens only when I'm drinking liquids.

I found several sites that recommend putting one's hand over one's mouth and breathing only through the nose. I haven't had a chance to try it yet (and hope I don't have to).

What I am doing now is every time I have to drink, I sip very slowly and as I swallow I put my hand over my mouth and breathe through my nose.

Just info for anyone who might suffer from this symptom.
@LilacTree

Years ago I started using a straw after my dentist and I discussed how easily my teeth stained, and he asked me to try it.

Choking can often be caused by swallowing air while drinking. A straw eliminates that problem ... unless you keep sucking after all the liquid is gone ... lol.

Try using straws, just for the heck of it.

I've used straws too. One still has to be careful of getting air in the throat, as you said.

Of course a lot was said about aging and how this symptom increases with aging (as does every other nasty thing).

Re: Choking when all alone

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:19:58 GMT

You're right. I missed the fluids part. I don't actually consider fluid irritation to be choking because you don't have a blocked airway.

You don't let someone fight it if the airway is actually blocked. I'm not going to wait for a person to pass out if I don't have to. (There's a consent issue, so then I would.) I also wouldn't intervene if someone is coughing forcefully, because that means they can get air. If they're coughing forcefully, monitor carefully.

If it's just liquid, it doesn't matter if you're alone or not.

Re: Choking when all alone

Lucky Charm — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:14:48 GMT

Is this like liquid *going down the wrong pipe*? And it ends up in a coughing fit?

Re: Choking when all alone

Annabellethecat66 — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:26:18 GMT

I'm not a medical person but I have 2 sisters and 2 nieces who are RN's. I asked them about this and they said it can help when alone.

I've found that when drinking liquids (for some reason) I often (as I've gotten old(er) swallow air. Sometimes I feel like I can't breathe and start choaking.

I've found that if I use the breathing technique I was taught during Yoga (mostly relaxing my entire body), it helps relax the muscles in my throat too and I stop choaking (a good burp helps too)!

Re: Choking when all alone

MalteseMomma — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:31:15 GMT

My father died eating his lunch.I tried the H menuver to no avail.He died in my arms. He was eating 1000 Island Dressing and that is what did it.It went into his windpipe. It took me a long time to eat comfortably,I was afraid I would choke.

I often choke on peanut butter as I am a PB junkie and eat it by the spoonfuls,sometimes I put too much on my spoon or I am eating it too fast. It is painful and I cannot breathe cause I am clogged up with PB. I know I need to be careful.Most of the time it is the middle of the night and I am alone. Water helps.

Re: Choking when all alone

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:34:39 GMT

@MalteseMomma wrote:
My father died eating his lunch.I tried the H menuver to no avail.He died in my arms. He was eating 1000 Island Dressing and that is what did it.It went into his windpipe. It took me a long time to eat comfortably,I was afraid I would choke.

I often choke on peanut butter as I am a PB junkie and eat it by the spoonfuls,sometimes I put too much on my spoon or I am eating it too fast. It is painful and I cannot breathe cause I am clogged up with PB. I know I need to be careful.Most of the time it is the middle of the night and I am alone. Water helps.

@MalteseMomma

What a terribe experience .... so sorry for your loss.

Re: Choking when all alone

MalteseMomma — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:36:11 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 Thank you so much.It was a very long time ago. 1972

Re: Choking when all alone

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:36:55 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@LilacTree wrote:
I've had several very scary incidences in the last couple of years. I finally decided to research it. For me, it happens only when I'm drinking liquids.

I found several sites that recommend putting one's hand over one's mouth and breathing only through the nose. I haven't had a chance to try it yet (and hope I don't have to).

What I am doing now is every time I have to drink, I sip very slowly and as I swallow I put my hand over my mouth and breathe through my nose.

Just info for anyone who might suffer from this symptom.
@LilacTree

Years ago I started using a straw after my dentist and I discussed how easily my teeth stained, and he asked me to try it.

Choking can often be caused by swallowing air while drinking. A straw eliminates that problem ... unless you keep sucking after all the liquid is gone ... lol.

Try using straws, just for the heck of it.
I've used straws too. One still has to be careful of getting air in the throat, as you said.

Of course a lot was said about aging and how this symptom increases with aging (as does every other nasty thing).

@LilacTree

It also helps to not be distracted while eating or drinking ... watching TV or reading can be a contributing factor.

Re: Choking when all alone

LilacTree — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:43:35 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@LilacTree wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@LilacTree wrote:
I've had several very scary incidences in the last couple of years. I finally decided to research it. For me, it happens only when I'm drinking liquids.

I found several sites that recommend putting one's hand over one's mouth and breathing only through the nose. I haven't had a chance to try it yet (and hope I don't have to).

What I am doing now is every time I have to drink, I sip very slowly and as I swallow I put my hand over my mouth and breathe through my nose.

Just info for anyone who might suffer from this symptom.
@LilacTree

Years ago I started using a straw after my dentist and I discussed how easily my teeth stained, and he asked me to try it.

Choking can often be caused by swallowing air while drinking. A straw eliminates that problem ... unless you keep sucking after all the liquid is gone ... lol.

Try using straws, just for the heck of it.
I've used straws too. One still has to be careful of getting air in the throat, as you said.

Of course a lot was said about aging and how this symptom increases with aging (as does every other nasty thing).

@LilacTree

It also helps to not be distracted while eating or drinking ... watching TV or reading can be a contributing factor.

Very very true. Some of my attacks have been while being distracted while eating. There are just so many things about getting older, it's almost as though we have to re-learn how to live.

Re: Choking when all alone

Newgate — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:43:46 GMT

@MalteseMomma wrote:
My father died eating his lunch.I tried the H menuver to no avail.He died in my arms. He was eating 1000 Island Dressing and that is what did it.It went into his windpipe. It took me a long time to eat comfortably,I was afraid I would choke.

I often choke on peanut butter as I am a PB junkie and eat it by the spoonfuls,sometimes I put too much on my spoon or I am eating it too fast. It is painful and I cannot breathe cause I am clogged up with PB. I know I need to be careful.Most of the time it is the middle of the night and I am alone. Water helps.

@MalteseMomma What a painful, painful experience you had! So sorry for you!

God bless you!

Re: Choking when all alone

chickenbutt — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:46:24 GMT

I often choke while drinking fluids (usually water, as that is mostly what I drink) when I'm not paying attention. I've had to learn to drink very carefully.

I have some esophagus issues too, so I don't know if that is part of it but many times I've had to 'bring up' foods I've tried to eat that won't go down, once they get down to the esophagus, usually something bready or meat.

One thing that helps is listening to your body and I guess you kind of learn what you can and can't do. but choking while drinking is really awful so I have gotten much more careful!

Re: Choking when all alone

LilacTree — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:48:08 GMT

@Lucky Charm wrote:
Is this like liquid *going down the wrong pipe*? And it ends up in a coughing fit?

I don't know how to answer that because the water never comes back, so it's going somewhere. There were questions about that on google, but no really satisfactory answers.

My chest hurts for quite a while from trying to gasp, I guess, which is the wrong thing to do.

Re: Choking when all alone

bowlicious — Tue, 03 May 2016 18:56:38 GMT

I have found I have problems if I try to eat and drink cold liquids at the same time. I have to be careful to get all the food swallowed before taking a drink.

Re: Choking when all alone

2blonde — Tue, 03 May 2016 19:19:16 GMT

I've always had a problem swallowing liquids........seems like my throat muscles are a little uncoordinated sometimes. It does "go down the wrong pipe", so I do have to go into a coughing fit until I get it out of my lungs. I don't think there's any way that could kill me like choking on food, where your windpipe is completely blocked (thankfully I don't do that).

I think the worst experience I ever had with choking on liquid was when I had the bright idea of taking vinegar by the tablespoon. I actually like the taste of vinegar, and I know it's good for you, but I quickly learned you need to dilute it with water. Don't try it full strength like I did.......it literally takes your breath away......you can't get air in or out......talk about panic!

Re: Choking when all alone

LilacTree — Tue, 03 May 2016 19:36:43 GMT

@chickenbutt wrote:
I often choke while drinking fluids (usually water, as that is mostly what I drink) when I'm not paying attention. I've had to learn to drink very carefully.
I have some esophagus issues too, so I don't know if that is part of it but many times I've had to 'bring up' foods I've tried to eat that won't go down, once they get down to the esophagus, usually something bready or meat.

One thing that helps is listening to your body and I guess you kind of learn what you can and can't do. but choking while drinking is really awful so I have gotten much more careful!

I drink mostly water also. Once in a while lemon iced tea. The episode I had the other night was with water and it was the longest one I ever had. My daughter had just left, in fact, I heard her key turning the lock on the front door. But there was no way she could hear me and no way I could get to the front door.

I was really seeing "stars" and thought I was going pass out. It's a scary thing. I am also being much more careful. I did a lot of research the next day.

I used to have sleep apnea as a young woman. I think it was hormonal as I haven't had it for years and don't think there's a connection.

Re: Choking when all alone

2blonde — Tue, 03 May 2016 19:43:15 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
@chickenbutt wrote:
I often choke while drinking fluids (usually water, as that is mostly what I drink) when I'm not paying attention. I've had to learn to drink very carefully.
I have some esophagus issues too, so I don't know if that is part of it but many times I've had to 'bring up' foods I've tried to eat that won't go down, once they get down to the esophagus, usually something bready or meat.

One thing that helps is listening to your body and I guess you kind of learn what you can and can't do. but choking while drinking is really awful so I have gotten much more careful!
I drink mostly water also. Once in a while lemon iced tea. The episode I had the other night was with water and it was the longest one I ever had. My daughter had just left, in fact, I heard her key turning the lock on the front door. But there was no way she could hear me and no way I could get to the front door.

I was really seeing "stars" and thought I was going pass out. It's a scary thing. I am also being much more careful. I did a lot of research the next day.

I used to have sleep apnea as a young woman. I think it was hormonal as I haven't had it for years and don't think there's a connection.

@LilacTree Oh please try to be careful! I choke pretty often, but I've never had an episode where I thought I was going to pass out. For me it's all about getting the stuff out of my lungs.