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
2007-03-28 04:48:56 · 6 answers · asked by dragonalex27 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ First Aid
Just chew your food many times , eat slowly and sit still while eating and you will be fine. Often if people dont chew a piece of steak well or talk while eating they might breathe in when they should be swallowing and then the food becomes aspirated ( stuck in the trachea) I wonder if the owner of the dog was older since sometimes they have difficulty swallowing due to lack of secretions.
2007-03-28 14:46:39 · answer #1 · answered by barthebear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well... our esophogus and windpipe are right next to one another, separated only by a tiny flap called the epiglottis. Occasionally, the epiglottis doesnt close fast enough (slow down when you eat... and dont talk!).
If for some reason you do choke while alone, you can do the heimlichh on yourself by leaning over a chair back or other object.
2007-03-28 11:59:21 · answer #2 · answered by TraumaMomm 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1&2.Yes.is from oesophagus to stomach but it is possible to go to your windpipe too....so don't so much when you are eating....because when you talk ,you will take a big breath so your windpipe will open then your food willl go to to the wrong way.
3. No exactly answer.Maybe yes and also no.it depend on the size of the obstruction but sometime you breath the air .the obstruction will follow to go down.so is not very good.
is safe to eat....but don't talk so much when you are eating if you really want to talk....eat slowly than usual and talk slowly too,this can prevent choking and food going to your windpipe.
2007-03-29 07:04:37 · answer #3 · answered by chain y 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people "will" experience a choking episode sometime during a slightly more formal meal, such as in a restaurant, because one response to stress is to tighten-up.
hmm...didn't help did it...
Your friends will probably turn slightly pink-faced and stare down at their food...
Your family won't want to know what some Dr. Heimlich developed, because they will hear your pronunciation of his name...wrong...
Most dogs will hear the choking coughs, tuck tail, and run the other way.
hmm...
If your big, but very/very good dog does respond to your emergency, then the animal will likely jump on you in a most "other" place, causing you to take a sharp intake of breath...
hmm...
2007-03-29 11:31:38 · answer #4 · answered by also... 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
every time you swallow you are taking a chance on suffication. if something gets lodged in your windpipe, it will swell and not let it out. beware.
2007-03-28 22:39:03 · answer #5 · answered by gary w 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Eat, and chew your food instead of inhaling it... CHEW...
2007-03-28 11:58:34 · answer #6 · answered by Scared 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋