What to Do if You Inhaled a Small Piece of Food

Swallowed a small piece of food and felt it sliding down your throat? Relax, it likely went into your stomach safely. However, if you felt a sensation of it going down your windpipe, you might be worried. Here's what you need to know.

Safely Swallowed vs. Inhaled Food

If you swallowed a small piece of food and it felt like it was sliding down your throat, it actually went to your stomach. Your body is designed to manage small pieces of food and move them through the esophagus and into the stomach without issues. In this case, you should be fine.

What Happens if It Goes Down the Windpipe?

If a piece of food does go down your windpipe (trachea), you would typically be coughing up a lung in response. The cough reflex is triggered strongly, especially for even a small piece of food. If something got into your windpipe, you would likely be coughing very forcefully and frequently, trying to expel it. If it remained in your lungs, it could lead to a chronic cough and potentially serious complications.

No Symptoms? You're Likely Good!

If you don't have any symptoms such as coughing, fever, or coughing up phlegm, you don't need to be concerned. The food probably made it safely to your stomach. Your body’s natural defense mechanisms would have triggered to expel any food that made it to the wrong place.

Expert Insights from a Swallowing Disorder Specialist

Swallowing Disorder Specialist Here: If anything had gone into your windpipe, you would be coughing so strongly that you would feel like you were coughing up a lung. Even inhaling one drop of saliva triggers the cough reflex in a big way, so imagine what would happen if a piece of food went down the wrong pipe. So, rest assured, if you're not coughing and feeling well, you're probably fine.

Emergency Scenarios and Seeking Help

There are, however, rare emergency scenarios. For example, a friend of mine told me about a man who inhaled his girlfriend's earring during an intimate moment. He needed to go to the emergency department, where a chest surgeon successfully removed it. The thought of something like this happening to you is certainly concerning, but it's crucial to remember that most people swallow small pieces of food safely without issue.

Coughing Fits and Accidental Inhale

If a piece of food had actually gone down your airway (lungs), you would be coughing continuously and violently. This is why eating while talking can be dangerous. Have you ever eaten chips and tried to talk, experiencing coughing fits? That's because the food gets stuck in the airways, triggering an intense and persistent cough. Remember, if you can't stop coughing after a piece of food gets stuck, seek medical attention.

Stay Calm and Seek Professional Advice

First and foremost, you need to calm yourself. If the food chip entered your lungs, you would be having a terrible cough. In the absence of coughing, you can assume that the chip did not enter your lungs but rather went down the esophagus and into the stomach. If the food was a chip, it would likely be softer by now and you might cough it up on your own. A hard and sharp piece could potentially cause tearing in the esophagus or airways, leading to a pneumothorax or infection, but this is highly unlikely.

Conclusion

If you're still unsure or concerned, it's always a good idea to consult with your doctor or a healthcare professional. They can provide more personalized advice and ensure that you're safe. In the end, most times, a small piece of food that you felt going down your throat is nothing to worry about. Just stay calm and follow your doctor's recommendations.