What happens if food gets into your lungs?

Sometimes it happens that you accidentally put food in your trachea while you are eating.

But if you are healthy and have a strong immune system, you may not have any complications from an isolated incident.

Getting food into the lungs can cause serious health complications.

Difficulty swallowing, an impaired gag reflex, or excessive alcohol use can increase this risk.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease may also play a role.

This condition can lead to a narrowing of the esophagus or food pipe and make you more likely to pass food or liquid into your lungs.

If you have shortness of breath, cough, shortness of breath or chest pain after eating, food may have passed into the airways.

The blockage can cause your skin to turn a dark color due to lack of oxygen.

Food or liquid that passes into your airways can cause an inflammatory response as the lungs react to the foreign substance.

If an infection occurs, you may develop bacterial pneumonia. And if you have asthma or emphysema, your risk of developing pneumonia may increase.

People who smoke, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to pneumonia.

To avoid breathing food into your lungs, eat in small bites, chew your food well, and avoid talking or laughing while eating.

If you have persistent difficulty swallowing solid foods, your doctor may recommend a change in the way you eat.

This is done to maintain nutrient intake while minimizing the risk of food passing into the lungs.

A gurgling noise while you are eating, a pain when swallowing, or the feeling that something is stuck in your throat can indicate that food is passing through the airways.

If you have such symptoms, consult your doctor about changes in your diet that can reduce the risk of pneumonia or other complications.