Foreign Body Airway Obstruction

Choking, or foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO), is a common and serious issue with significant morbidity and mortality. Choking can result from both food and non-food items, leading to varying degrees of asphyxiation or oxygen deprivation. FBAO is particularly prevalent among young children and people of advanced age. Many choking incidents do not result in emergency room visits or fatalities and thus go unreported. Choking on nonfood items is less frequent but predominantly affects young children. Major risk factors for choking include neurological disorders, dysphagia, and dental problems such as having few or no teeth, unstable prostheses, or unsuitable orthodontic appliances. According to the National Safety Council’s statistics, FBAO is the 4th leading cause of unintentional death, with 5051 documented fatalities in 2015. FBAO is a leading cause of accidental deaths in children younger than 16. All persons, including those outside of the health field, should have a basic understanding of how to care for a choking victim due to the prevalence and rapidity of unconsciousness and death from this condition. Simple maneuvers taught to laypeople, such as the Heimlich maneuver, have been proven to save lives. Complete FBAO is immediately life-threatening, while partial FBAO can hinder gas exchange and result in dyspnea, pneumonia, and abscess formation.