Choking is when someone cannot breathe because food, a toy, or other object is blocking the throat or windpipe (airway).

Heimlich maneuver - unconscious adult or child over 1 year

A choking person's airway may be completely or partially blocked so that not enough oxygen reaches the lungs. A complete blockage is a medical emergency. A partial blockage can quickly become life threatening if the person cannot properly breathe.

Without oxygen, permanent brain damage can occur in as little as 4 - 6 minutes. Rapid first aid for choking can save a life.

Occasionally an object will enter the lung. While the person may appear to improve and breathe normally, in a few days symptoms may develop, such as:

• Persistent cough
• Pneumonia
• Wheezing

If this happens, get medical help right away.

• Eating too fast, failing to chew food well enough, or eating with poorly fitting dentures
• Drinking alcohol (even a small amount of alcohol affects awareness)
• Being unconscious (a person may breathe in vomited material)
• Breathing in or swallowing small objects (young children)
• Having trauma to the head and face (swelling, bleeding, or deformity can cause choking)

Review Date: 07/08/2009
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)