About Choking
Key Highlights
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Immediate, life-saving intervention to restore breathing.Performed by trained Internal Medicine specialists in emergency settings.Primary technique (Heimlich maneuver) is non-invasive and can be performed without specialized equipment.Prevents hypoxic brain injury and cardiac arrest by quickly re-establishing airflow.May involve simple maneuvers or advanced airway management based on the severity.
Who is this surgery for?
- Complete airway obstruction indicated by the universal choking sign (hands clutching the throat).
- Inability to speak, cough, or breathe.
- Weak, ineffective coughing or high-pitched sounds while inhaling (stridor).
- Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of lips, face, or fingertips).
- Loss of consciousness due to suspected airway blockage.
How to prepare
- No formal preparation is possible due to the emergent nature; action is immediate.
- The responder (doctor) quickly assesses the situation: "Are you choking?"
- If the patient can cough or speak, encourage continued coughing; do not intervene.
- Call for emergency medical services (EMS/ambulance) backup immediately.
- Position yourself behind the conscious, standing patient for the Heimlich maneuver.
Risks & possible complications
- Internal injuries such as bruises, fractures of the ribs or xiphoid process.
- Damage to abdominal organs (e.g., spleen, liver) from forceful thrusts.
- Aspiration of the object into a deeper part of the lung if not fully expelled.
- Failure to clear the obstruction, leading to hypoxia, brain damage, or death.
- Complications from subsequent advanced procedures (e.g., laryngoscopy), including throat trauma or bleeding.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate recovery of breathing and alertness if the procedure is successful.
- Medical evaluation is required post-event to check for complications or residual obstruction.
- Observation for several hours in a hospital setting may be recommended.
- Soreness in the abdomen or chest is common and should resolve in a few days.
- Follow-up with a primary care physician to address the cause of choking and prevent recurrence.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days
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Expected recovery time: 0-2 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering choking in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for choking in India include Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, KMC Hospital Mangalore, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform choking. MediFyr helps you compare internal medicine specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for choking compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Choking in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated internal medicine teams and experience managing patients undergoing choking.
Internal Medicine Specialists for Choking
Explore experienced internal medicine specialists who regularly perform choking and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 41 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 22 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 32 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 14 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 13 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 9 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 43 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 36 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 21 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 15 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore