How to Determine if Rice Has Gone into the Airways? Methods for Its Removal

Update Date: 2024-05-28 Source: Network

How to Handle Choking on Rice?

We often say that when eating, we should chew slowly and swallow carefully, otherwise it is easy to choke on food, especially foods like rice. If rice is accidentally inhaled into the trachea, it can lead to various adverse symptoms in the body. If not expelled in time, it can cause significant harm to the body. Most people do not know how to determine if rice has been inhaled into the trachea, and often mistake it for general physical discomfort, which can delay treatment. Here are some guidelines:

1. How to Determine if Rice is Choked into the Trachea?

You can judge by observing physical symptoms. After rice is inhaled into the trachea, it can cause many adverse symptoms, such as obvious choking cough, sometimes severe coughing fits, a feeling of obstruction, shortness of breath, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing. If the rice can be expelled at this time, there is no problem. If not, it is best to seek medical attention.

2. How to Expel Rice from the Trachea?

If there is severe coughing, it is best to go to the ENT department for emergency removal of the foreign body under laryngoscopy, especially for children and the elderly, who may have difficulty coughing out the foreign body. Additionally, the airway of children is narrower, and if not removed in time, coughing can lead to airway obstruction and even asphyxia. If the rice is not expelled or coughed out, it can remain in a certain part of the trachea, causing recurrent wheezing. Therefore, it is advisable for the elderly to avoid eating hard foods, and for children, it is best to avoid eating foods like melon seeds and walnuts.

3. What to Do if a Baby Chokes on Rice?

3.1 Back Pat Method: Place the baby on the parent's knee with the head down and support the chest. Pat the back four times to help the baby cough out the foreign body. Alternatively, the baby can be inverted and patted on the back.

3.2 Vomiting Stimulation Method: Use a finger to stimulate the back of the tongue to induce vomiting, which is suitable for foreign bodies close to the throat. Promptly remove any secretions from the baby's nose and mouth to maintain a clear airway.

3.3 Abdominal Compression Method: For older babies, abdominal compression can be performed to expel the foreign body. Hold the baby's waist and use the index, middle, and ring fingers to press firmly on the upper abdomen. Apply pressure in a backward and upward direction, then relax and repeat rhythmically to create a forceful exhalation that can dislodge the foreign body.

3.4 Prompt Medical Attention: If the above methods do not work, seek medical attention immediately. Take the baby to the ENT department, where the foreign body can be removed under a laryngoscope or bronchoscope. Do not delay. If the baby stops breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately.