How is partial airway obstruction treated?
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Choking is the obstruction of the airway. Obstruction of the airway can be caused by food, swallowing foreign objects, laughing or crying while eating or drinking. It can also be caused by running while eating or drinking, swallowing food when not chewed enough and breathing in while eating or drinking or swallowing bone splinters. Show
Signs may include
Treatment of a partial obstruction
DO NOT Attempt to dislodge the obstruction with your fingers as this could push the obstruction further down the airway. DO NOT Use the Heimlich Manoeuvre as this can damage the internal organs. Treatment of a complete obstruction
Treatment of an obstruction in an infant or child
DO NOT hold an infant by their legs, as this can pull the infants legs out of the sockets. Treatment of an obstruction when alone
If your child is struggling to breathe, turning blue, or has a battery stuck in their ear, nose, or throat, seek emergency medical care right away. Airway obstruction, also known as foreign body airway obstruction, happens when a small item gets stuck in a child’s throat or upper airway and makes it hard for the child to breathe. Because of its small size, a child’s airway can get blocked when a piece of food or a small, round object like a coin or marble gets lodged in their throat. Other common household items like drapery cords or plastic bags can strangle or suffocate a child. On average, 5,000 children, ages 14 and under, are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for airway obstruction. The majority of these children are ages 4 and under. More than 650 children die in a given year from choking, strangulation, suffocation, or getting trapped in a household appliance or toy chest. How to reduce the risk of airway obstructionCut food into small piecesThe American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children younger than 4 should not be fed any round, firm food unless the food is cut into small, non-round pieces. Young children may not chew food properly, swallow food whole, and start choking. Foods to avoid or cut into small pieces for children under age 4 include:
Children younger than 4 should not be given hard candy or chewing gum. Young children can eat hot dogs and grapes, as long as the skins are taken off and the food is cut into small, non-round pieces. Supervise your child's eatingAlways keep your eye on young children while they are eating. Sometimes, choking can occur when an older child feeds a younger sibling unsafe food. Ensure that your young children sit upright while eating, and never allow them to walk, play, or run with food in their mouths. Keep choking hazards out of reachNonfood items that are small, round, or conforming can be a choking hazard to your young child. You may want to purchase a small parts tester to help determine which items are choking hazards. Make sure your child plays with age-appropriate toys, keeping small items that are a choking hazard out of reach. Check under your furniture and between seat cushions for choking hazards such as:
Remove strangulation and suffocation hazardsChildren can strangle themselves with consumer products that wrap around the neck, such as window blind and drapery cords, ribbons, necklaces, pacifier strings, and drawstrings on clothing. A few tips to keep in mind to keep your child safe:
Remove suffocation hazardsInfants can suffocate in soft bedding, or when a person rolls over onto them in an adult bed. Here are a few other tips to help prevent suffocation:
Place sleeping infants on their backsThe medical community recommends placing infants on their backs in their cribs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Placing infants on their backs may also reduce the chance of choking. Infants may have a difficult time lifting their heads if they are face down. The crib should adhere to national safety standards, with a firm, flat mattress. Avoid putting soft bedding, toys, and other soft products, pillows, and comforters in the crib with your infant. |
