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Choking
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Symptoms

Choking

Choking occurs when food or small objects block the airway, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs and brain.

The Risks of Choking

When an object blocks the airway, it prevents oxygen from reaching the lungs and brain. If the brain goes without oxygen for more than four minutes, it can result in brain damage or death.

Prevention and Safety

Young children are at an especially high risk of choking. Common hazards include:

  • Foods: Hot dogs, nuts, and grapes.
  • Small objects: Toy pieces and coins.

To prevent choking, keep these hazards out of reach and supervise children while they eat.

Emergency Response

When someone is choking, quick action can be lifesaving. It is recommended to learn how to perform back blows, the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts), and CPR.

Frequently Asked Questions

True choking is marked by an inability to speak, cough, or breathe, a high‑pitched “cannot breathe” sound, clutching the throat (the universal sign), and skin that may turn bluish. If the person can cough forcefully or speak, the airway is likely only partially blocked.
Call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately if the person cannot speak, cough, or breathe, if they lose consciousness, or if you have performed back blows/heimlich thrusts and the object is still lodged after two attempts. Do not wait for the situation to worsen.
Cut foods like hot dogs, grapes, and cheese into small, bite‑size pieces; avoid giving whole nuts, popcorn, or hard candy. Keep small toys, coins, and button batteries out of reach. Supervise meals and snack times, and teach children to sit down and chew slowly.
For a pregnant woman in the second or third trimester, stand behind her, wrap your arms around her upper abdomen, and place a fist just above the navel (below the breastbone). Perform quick upward thrusts. For an infant under 1 year, place the baby face‑down on your forearm (supporting the head), give up to five back blows between the shoulder blades, then turn the infant face‑up and give up to five chest thrusts using two fingers at the center of the chest.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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