Learn about Choking Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Choking and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Choking

Choking is a critical medical emergency where an object, often food, becomes lodged in the airway, blocking airflow. An Internal Medicine specialist manages this life-threatening situation by performing immediate interventions to clear the obstruction and restore breathing. The primary procedure is the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts), which uses quick, upward thrusts below the ribcage to create pressure that expels the object. In cases where the patient is unconscious or the maneuver is ineffective, advanced airway management techniques, including direct laryngoscopy and forceps removal, may be required. Prompt recognition and action by a trained professional are essential to prevent brain damage or death from oxygen deprivation.

Key Highlights

    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.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days
  • checked 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.

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.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India USD 0 – USD 55 0-1 days ~ 0-2 days Know More
Turkey USD 0 – USD 410 0-1 days ~ 0-2 days Know More

Top hospitals for Choking in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated internal medicine teams and experience managing patients undergoing choking.

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Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad

  • IconGhaziabad, India
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91+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

  • IconBangalore, India
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Manipal Hospital Siliguri

  • IconSiliguri, India
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89+ Rating

Manipal Hospital EM Bypass

  • IconKolkata, India
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65+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

  • IconKolkata, India
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12320+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road

  • IconBangalore, India
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185+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Ranchi

  • IconRanchi, India
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1161+ Rating

Artemis Hospital Gurgaon

  • IconGurgaon, India
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181+ Rating

KMC Hospital Mangalore

  • IconMangalore, India
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Internal Medicine Specialists for Choking

Explore experienced internal medicine specialists who regularly perform choking and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Pavan Kharbanda
  • 34 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital,, Faridabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Somnath Mitra
  • 34 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Arvind Kumar Minz
  • 29 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital,, Faridabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Saibal Chakravorty
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

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Dr. Sanjay Sanadhya
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rajeev C Mathews
  • 27 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

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Dr. Suresh KG
  • 27 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Alok Prasad
  • 18 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital,, Faridabad

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Dr. C.L. Singh
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

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Dr. Ranjit Mohan
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Anitha M Dias
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Kush Ohri
  • 12 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

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Dr. Kamayini Pradahan
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 700
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

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Dr. Riddhima Srivastava
  • 6 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

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Dr. Akshay Chugh
  • 6 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

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Dr. Dhiman Sen
  • 45 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 2000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Kolkata

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Dr. Manjeeta Das
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1100
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Delhi

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Dr. Pradip Pai Dhungat
  • 39 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 2000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Goa , Panaji

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Dr. Suruchi Mandrekar
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 550
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Baner, Pune

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Mainak Malhotra
  • 19 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata

OPD-desk synced • Updated