I choked on a bit of rice, it's in my lung, what should I do?

Question

I had some Chinese food in a restaurant last night, and choked
on some rice. I tried to cough it out. But I'm not sure that it did
the job. I went on eating, but felt something was still in the
windpipe (don't know the medical term for this).

Even today, 16 hours later, I felt something is my windpipe (more like the lung now). I tried to cought it out a few times, but to no avail. It's probably pretty deep inside now.

I suspect it's just 1 or 2 grains of rice. I assume over time, they will just disintegrate?

Is there anything I can do? Is this serious? What pre-caution should I take? Would I be able to do some cardiovascular
exercises, such as running? I am afraid breathing in big gulp
of air will just push down the rice further into the lung?

Above all, should I be concerned about this?

Thanks.

Answer 1

It could have done one of two things.

It could have scratched your throat on the way down so it will still feel as if it's still stuck there but isn't.

The other is that it is still sitting in your oesphagus or close to your epiglottis and agrevating it.
But it it's usually sitting against this you will be driving yourself crazy caughing constantly. It's your bodies way of trying to remove it.

Is this serious and should you be conserned? Yes.
If it is still sitting in your throat it can enter your airways and lungs at any time and then you will have major and longterm problems.

The only way to check if it's still there in your throat is having a scope done under a general aneasthetic and they can then remove anything they find.

DON'T GO AND EXCERCISE. ANYTHING THAT INVOLVES TAKING IN DEEP BREATHS.

In the mean time, before going to see your Doctor, take some REALLY, BIG coughs. And keep coughing.

You will need to see your Doctor to see if they can see anything and then go from there.

Believe me it is serious as I have ended up having to have the scope and surgery to remove a salmon bone removed from my throat. Yum!

Answer 2

" SIT STILL"!! & breath slowly !! & let the ice melt !! & when Y O U think that it has melted... take more deep breaths !! Only slower !! just for awhile though !! Now if this causes you AnY pain later today... then yes please go see a doctor !! or call first !! some people in an ambulance might be able to solve this if you just walk from your home to the curb that they parked or your driveway !?!

Answer 3

i'm not sure it's really in your lung... i also don't think they will just disintegrate. the only reason food disintegrates in your stomach is because you digest it. (stomach acid...) if you left a piece of rice on the table...would it disintegrate? i dunno. if you're really worried about it, go to the doctor.

Answer 4

Call your doctor's office and ask to talk to a nurse and see what he/she thinks.

Answer 5

dude......its a piece of rice......you aren't going to die...if its serious you will cough it out (bronchitis......pneumonia)