Choking When Eating
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Reviewed By:
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
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Content updated on Jan 4, 2023
About the symptom
Choking happens when someone's airway suddenly gets blocked by food during a meal, either fully or partly, so they can't breathe.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Choking while eating
Possible causes
- Vocal cord paralysis
A condition where the nerves supplying the vocal cords are damaged, causing them to move poorly. Causes include strokes, and radiotherapy/surgery to the neck.
Related serious diseases
- Pneumonia (lower respiratory tract infection)
Inflammation of the lungs. Symptoms include cough, increased phlegm and fever. Some patients may experience breathlessness and chest pain. The most common cause is a bacterial infection.
Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom
Do you choke when eating?
Do you have a fever?
Do you have a sore throat?
Do you have heartburn?
Do you have slurred speech?
Other Related Symptoms
Similar symptoms or complaints
Symptoms from the same body system / part
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
Reviewed By:
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD
Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)
National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan