Recently, the Respiratory Department at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi treated a 20-year-old girl who choked on tapioca pearls after drinking milk tea. The patient arrived at the hospital with severe coughing, difficulty breathing, and blue lips. An endoscopy revealed pearl beads lodged in the right bronchus. Dr. Nguyen Van Ngan from Tam Anh General Hospital warns that drinks with toppings like tapioca pearls, jelly, coconut jelly, and others can increase the risk of choking on foreign objects in the airways.
Toppings in drinks are often granular, sticky, and eaten through large straws. Many people have a habit of sucking harder on the straw, which can push the topping into the airway. This can lead to coughing and difficulty in removing the sticky particles. Young children are especially at risk due to their lack of knowledge and slower reflexes.
To prevent choking incidents, Dr. Ngan recommends using a spoon instead of a large straw when consuming drinks with toppings or other foods that have a risk of choking. Taking precautions while eating and supervising children can help prevent choking incidents caused by foreign objects.
Choking on foreign objects can have serious consequences, including respiratory failure and death if not treated promptly. The Heimlich maneuver is a common first aid technique used for adults and children over the age of two who are choking on foreign objects. Children under two years old require a different approach, such as patting their back and chest compressions.
It’s important to act quickly and seek medical attention if the object cannot be expelled despite first aid efforts. By taking simple precautions like using a spoon instead of a large straw or supervising young children during meals, we can reduce the risk of choking incidents caused by foreign objects in our daily lives.
