I just read a story about a dog who peformed a type of heimlich manuever on his owner to dislodge an apple slice that was in her windpipe...now I'm afraid to eat! Well, not that extreme, but the story just scares me.
Are we generally safe when it comes to eating? (I was thinking that as humans we are meant to eat, so the process shouldn't pose a threat to us)
When we eat food, doesn't it always go down our esophagus to our stomach for digestion?
How can something get in the windpipe? How can we prevent that?
Can't a person still breathe at least a little even if something is in there?
I hope someone can ease my worries. =(
-Alex
2007-03-27 18:21:57 · 4 answers · asked by dragonalex27 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Just make sure you chew and swallow. The muscle reflexes in our throats make it REALLY hard to get something down our windpipe. Normally, food lodges in our THROATS themselves, not the actual windpipe.
I am sure that was a random and very strange event. But I don't think that ever happens. Maybe the story was wrong, and they meant the throat and not the windpipe.
But don't worry. We're safe to eat, because food shouldn't get into the windpipe.
2007-03-27 18:26:28 · answer #1 · answered by manualsearch 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Food can definitely go down your windpipe if you're not careful. the throat has two tunnels in it, one leading to the stomach and one leading to the lungs. You cannot swallow and breathe in at the same time, it is impossible. If you have food about to be swallowed in the back of your mouth and you inhale, then the other tunnel closes up (the one your food is supposed to go down) and the food, or water, goes down the windpipe. If you are that worried about it, just be a conscious eater. This usually happens most often to me when I'm in conversation with someone actually while I am eating- so avoid that too I guess.
2007-03-27 18:33:34 · answer #2 · answered by macho_bob 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Taking small bites and chewing food thoroughly is the key. I don't normally swallow apple slices as the person in your example did.
2007-03-27 18:26:30 · answer #3 · answered by Emily Dew 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
itsusually when we rush down our food that things go wrong . just eat slowly and you will be fine that is how our body is designed you cant help it
2007-03-27 18:28:43 · answer #4 · answered by NBA BALLER 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋