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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
aspiration of food pneumonia etc
Answered by
CO
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aspiration of food pneumonia etc
by jtill, Sep 02, 2007 08:36AM
I believe that I may have aspirated a piece of spaghetti. I'm not sure but I think the noodle was maybe 2 or 3 inches long and unchewed. I felt the piece slide down my throat but the other half was still in my mouth and as i was starting to gag I thought it best to swallow it whole rather than cough hard, then when I swallowed I didn't have anymore symptoms or gagging. Can a soft noodle bypass the gag reaction of the airways and slide down to your lungs without extreme coughing once it passes the opening? Again I'm not 100% sure I aspirated it but it felt like I may have even though I didn't gag after I swallowed... What effects may I have from the piece of spaghetti and do you think I really aspirated it??
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, Sep 12, 2007 12:53PM
, Sep 12, 2007 12:53PM
It is possible that a soft noodle could be aspirated into your lungs but unlikely to do so with zero coughing. Any food aspirated can set up inflammation in the lung and may lead to infection. You need not seek medical advice unless you develop symptoms. But, the likelihood is that this noodle slide down into your stomach.
