University of São Paulo: Children are the biggest victims of choking

Choking is nothing more than the manifestation that a foreign body has entered the access to the airways, instead of going through the esophagus, according to Carlos Henrique Miranda, professor of Emergency Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP) at the University from Sao Paulo.

Cough is the first symptom of someone who is choking and is a way to protect the person from that foreign body that may be stuck in the pharynx, interfering with breathing. Even so, coughing is not always able to eliminate the object or food that hinders breathing. Miranda says that there are no statistics on choking in the country or in the world, but what is known is that at least 15 children die of choking every day.

under 3 years old
If you are choking or if this occurs with someone next to you, water or liquid should never be offered, as this situation only worsens the situation. Prevention is the best medicine to fight choking. Children are the main victims of these discomforts.

And attention should be redoubled for children under 3, so parents, babysitters, teachers and people who take care of children should cut food into well-sliced ​​pieces. Preferably, liquids should be consumed through a straw and toys with small parts should be avoided.

When choking does not stop spontaneously and the case worsens, the ideal is to call the emergency service 193, in addition to immediate referral to the nearest hospital.