Why Do I Sometimes Choke While Drinking Water Or Other Liquids That Leads To The Inability To Inhale For Sometime?

Posted on Sat, 1 Sep 2018

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

Sat, 1 Sep 2018 Answered on

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I sometimes choke when drinking water or other liquids. It results in not being able to inhale for many seconds. Is there anything I can do or have done to me that will shorten the time of my distress (e.g. hit my back, etc). I also sometimes choke after I "burp" which causes an inability to breath for many seconds also. If I am alone what do I do? age 82

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Visit ENT doctor

Detailed Answer:

Hello,,

I think there is not much you can do when you are alone and choking happens except drinking slowly and not laughing or talking. If you are with another person he can do Heimlich maneuver or biting in middle of shoulders.

The burping you experience after choking is due to air eating while choking. The best thing to do is to visit an ENT doctor to clean up the causes of choking. They may vary from poor dental prosthesis to more serious like cancer.

Hope I have answered the question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T