What would happen if you swollowed food and it somehow ended up in your lungs??

Answer 1

It's called aspiration pneumonia. It is anatomically possible -- because not all the food particles (or liquids) are so small that you'd choke. Here's an "official" definition:

Aspiration pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs and bronchial tubes caused by inhaling foreign material (usually food, drink, vomit, or secretions from the mouth) into the lungs. This may progress to form a collection of pus in the lungs (lung abscess).

Aspiration of foreign material (often the stomach contents) into the lung can be a result of disorders that affect normal swallowing, disorders of the esophagus (esophageal stricture, gastroesophageal reflux), or decreased or absent gag reflex in unconscious or semi-conscious individuals. Old age, dental problems, use of sedative drugs, anesthesia, coma, and excessive alcohol consumption are also causal or contributing factors. The response of the lungs depends upon the characteristics and amount of the aspirated substance. The more acidic the material, the greater the degree of lung injury, although this may not necessarily lead to pneumonia.

The injured lungs may become infected with multiple species of anaerobic bacteria or aerobic bacteria. A collection of pus may form in the lung. A protective membrane may form around the abscess.

From: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000121.htm -- go there for symptoms, treatment, etc...

Other articles: http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=aspiration+pneumonia&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Answer 2

They would walk around in a stupor for a few days, going 'what's fer supper?.... I'm hungry...." etc. Then they would start eating things right out of boxes, or any cans with pop off lids, there would be some that bleed to death because they use power tools or screwdrivers to try to open regular cans of food and end up hurting themselves. Then, some that find meat, will eventually die off from heart attacks as their cholesterol levels skyrocket from eating nothing but meat (and fake meat like hot dogs). Others will die off in massive fires caused by all the attempts at cooking things on stoves, ovens, and in microwaves incorrectly. Some, like my own hubby, will get food poisning from trying to eat leftovers that are too old (since there would be no women to stop them). The few that do survive would be country men, who know how to grow food, and some suburban dudes who know how to bar-b-que food. Wow, what a cheerful subject for a Saturday morning! >;p

Answer 3

When food enters your lungs, a person has aspirated. This is a very dangerous situation. It could block the person's airway and prevent them from breathing. It also can cause pneumonia or congestion in the lungs. This is still very dangerous because the person will get very sick and have to be hospitalized for treatment.

Answer 4

My brother has neck and throat cancer and is treating it with radiation. Because of this he has a hard time swallowing. Some of the food ended up in his lungs (not enough to choke) and he ended up with a really bad infection. In the hospital for 4 days.

Answer 5

What is aspiration pneumonia? Aspiration (as-pi-RAY-shun) pneumonia (noo-MOH-nyah) happens when a liquid or an object is inhaled into the lungs. A common cause of aspiration pneumonia is inhaling (aspirating) acid or vomit from the stomach. Having food, drink, or saliva (spit) from your mouth go into your lungs can also cause aspiration pneumonia. When these things go into the lungs, it can damage (hurt) the lungs, or cause a blockage. This damage or blockage may cause swelling and fluid in the lungs. It can also cause an infection (in-FECK-shun) in the lungs, such as bacterial (bak-TEE-ree-al) pneumonia.

Answer 6

The people who said aspiration Pneomonia were correct it is possible to suck food down into your lungs my husband did that once from laughing too hard he sucked his food or drink in and he developed it and had to be put on an antibiotic.

Answer 7

For all those wwho said "it's not possible" DUH!! IT IS POSSIBLE and it HAS HAPPENED!!!!

you'll choke, and if you don't go to see a doctor right away, you might die because the food will be taking the place of the air in your lungs and the blood wont get oxygen and you're brain will stop working and ant the end might as well die

Answer 8

If you swallowed it and it ended up in your lung, then you have a real problem. That means there is a hole in your stomach that leads to your lung.

Better get that checked ASAP.

Answer 9

Doctors in the US have x-rayed children and found all sorts of things in their lungs. I always thought you'd choke to death, but I've been wrong before.

Answer 10

That won't happen.

You have a "valve" in your throat that differentiates between the air that should go to your lungs and the food that should go to your stomach.

The "valve" sometimes gets confused by water, which is why people drown.