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Foreign Body Aspiration Treatment in Delhi, India
Overview
Foreign body aspiration occurs when an object is accidentally inhaled into the airways. It occurs very commonly in children less than four years old. Since toddlers explore everything by putting it in their mouths, they tend to jump and run with food in their mouths, and their airway protective mechanisms are not very well developed; they are at high risk of foreign body aspiration. It can be a serious medical emergency, especially in young children and elderly adults, as the object can obstruct the airway, leading to difficulty breathing, choking, or even death if not promptly treated.
Foreign Body Aspiration Symptoms
- Sudden onset of coughing or wheezing
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Stridor (a high-pitched, wheezing sound)
- Cyanosis (bluish discolouration of the skin, particularly around the lips and face)
- Prolonged cough, not responding to medicines.
Foreign Body Aspiration Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies like X-rays and a flexible bronchoscopy. While X-rays and CT scans are not routinely recommended in children suspected of having foreign body aspiration, flexible bronchoscopy is the most important diagnostic test. It is a procedure using a flexible tube with a camera to view the airways.
Foreign Body Aspiration Treatment
Immediate intervention
If a person is choking and cannot breathe, immediate actions like back blows and abdominal thrusts (Heimlich manoeuvre) are critical.
Medical treatment
Using a flexible bronchoscope, a pulmonologist removes the foreign body from the airway. In large FB or deep-seated FB, sharp objects like nails, pins, etc., may require a rigid bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia.
Post-removal care
It is important to monitor and treat any complications, such as infections or damage to the airways.
Foreign body aspirations are preventable. Keep nuts, small objects, and small toys out of reach of your children.
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BLK-Max Hospital is home to 350+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
