What Causes Choking Sensation After Eating?

Posted on Sat, 7 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 7 Jun 2014 Answered on

Sat, 28 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Why do you feel a choking sensation every time you eat? or drink? i freak out every time i feel something pass by my windpipe. Is that normal? or is it something more serious?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Dysphagia

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

Feeling of choking every time you try to swallow is not normal and needs immediate medical attention. Here is what I recommend

1. Avoid eating or drinking until you see a doctor
2. Relax and be calm as most of the times the feeling of choking could also be due to an anxiety attack
3. Meet your doctor to rule out infection of your throat as this is the most common cause for difficulty in swallowing in your age group. It can be easily treated with Anti biotics and salt water gargling

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

I wish you good health and a speedy recovery

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (7 minutes later)

I cant see my doctor until monday unfortunantly. it has scared me so much that i went without eating on wednesday and i have only managed to eat small things that are easy to swallow over the past few days and drinking some juice and plenty of water.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query

It is extremely unfortunate that you cannot approach your doctor until Monday. Here is what I suggest

1. Continue taking fluids as tolerated
2. It might be difficult for you to be on just fluids so I advice you to eat semi solid foods like oat meal.
3. I strongly advice you to approach the ER if you have a feeling of breathlessness at any point of time

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

I wish you good health and a speedy recovery

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar