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 54 0-1 days ~ 0-2 days Know More
Turkey USD 0 – USD 403 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.

Artemis Hospital Gurgaon

  • IconGurgaon, India
  • Icon141 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Siliguri

  • IconSiliguri, India
  • Icon30 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon129 Doctors

KMC Hospital Mangalore

  • IconMangalore, India
  • Icon38 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Ranchi

  • IconRanchi, India
  • Icon41 Doctors

Manipal Hospital EM Bypass

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon94 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad

  • IconGhaziabad, India
  • Icon43 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon105 Doctors
PATIENT REVIEW

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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. Abhishek M
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Millers Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sunil Havannavar
  • 24 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Santanu Ganguly
  • 21 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospitals Broadway

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sneha S
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. K Vengadakrishnan
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi, Tamil

MediFyr Plus SIMS Hospital Vadapalani

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ujjal Chakravarty
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dhakuria

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Suman Halder
  • 17 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dhakuria

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Mugdha Lakhotia
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Haroon Hussain
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus KMC Hospital Mangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Dilip Raj K S
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Varthur Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ashutosh Kumar Thakur
  • 18 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Ranchi

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ch Manoj Kumar
  • 33 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Vijayawada

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rajini Surendra
  • 24 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Doddaballapur

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ravi Kumar V N
  • 24 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Prasad Biware
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Baner

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Barun Kumar Datta
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospitals Broadway

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Pavan M R
  • 17 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus KMC Hospital Mangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Mayur Bahan Mukherji
  • 19 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dhakuria

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ashar Hasan
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospitals Broadway

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Shankar V
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

OPD-desk synced • Updated
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