Zeenat Aman Faces Choking Scare As Pill Gets Stuck in Throat. Doctor Shares Dos, Don’ts And First-Aid Tips
Zeenat Aman faced a frightening moment recently when her blood pressure pill got lodged in her throat, making breathing difficult but not impossible. She was alone at home at the time.
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Bollywood star Zeenat Aman, 73, has been quite active on Instagram, sharing thoughtful reflections and life experiences with her signature grace and wisdom. Her writing style, blending personal anecdotes with deeper life lessons, has been helping her engage with audiences in a relatable way.
One such experience that may resonate with many is how she experienced a frightening moment when her blood pressure pill got lodged in her throat, making breathing difficult but not impossible.
Alone at home with her pets, she panicked, as water failed to dislodge the pill and her doctor’s line was busy. In desperation, she called her younger son Zahaan, who immediately rushed over.
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Eventually, they reached the doctor, who reassured her that the pill would dissolve over time. She spent the next few hours sipping warm water and waiting. By morning, the crisis had passed, leaving her with a newfound appreciation for patience in difficult situations.
A situation like this can strike anyone at any time. While many of us are likely to be completely at sea where the medical response is concerned, it helps to know some tips to ease the situation.
Dr Paresh P. Naik, Skull Base, Head and Neck Surgeon, and ENT Consultant at Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai, spoke to ABP Live and shared important inputs on how to help someone who has a pill stuck in their oesophagus (in everyday terms, the throat) and can neither swallow it nor spit it out.
ABP: Why do pills get lodged in the throat at times?
Dr Paresh P. Naik: To understand this, let us first understand what dysphagia is: Dysphagia is difficulty in swallowing, making it hard to eat or drink normally. It can affect a person’s nutrition, hydration, and overall quality of life. This can happen with solids or liquids.
So, why do some people experience pills getting lodged in their throats?
1. Insufficient Swallowing Force
- Weak throat muscles (common in elderly individuals) may fail to push the pill down properly.
- Taking pills with too little water may not provide enough lubrication for smooth passage.
2. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
- Reduced saliva production (advanced age, medications, dehydration, post radiotherapy/chemotherapy) makes it harder for pills to slide down.
- Pills may stick to the back of the throat or oesophagus due to dryness.
3. Pill Size, Shape, And Coating
- Large, dry, or rough-textured pills are more likely to get stuck.
- Capsules may float on water instead of sinking for a smooth swallow.
- Some uncoated tablets dissolve slowly, causing irritation.
4. Improper Swallowing Technique
- Tilting the head back while swallowing can actually make pills more likely to get lodged in the throat.
- Lying down immediately after swallowing a pill increases the risk of it getting stuck.
5. Oesophageal Narrowing Or Blockage
- Oesophageal Strictures – Narrowing of the food pipe due to GERD (acid reflux), scarring, or tumours.
- Schatzki’s Ring – A thin tissue ring in the lower oesophagus that can block large pills.
- Zenker’s Diverticulum – A pouch in the throat where pills can get trapped.
6. Neurological Or Muscular Disorders
- Conditions like stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis affect swallowing coordination.
- Weak tongue or throat muscles fail to push pills down effectively.
7. Anxiety Or Gag Reflex Sensitivity
- A strong gag reflex can cause the throat to tighten, making swallowing pills difficult.
- Fear of choking can cause hesitation, leading to incomplete swallowing.
- The unpleasant smell of the pill can trigger a gag reflex.
ABP: What should one do as first aid before reaching the doctor? What should one not do?
Dr Paresh P. Naik: The most important is to check the following:
Can the person breathe, cough, or speak?
IF YES → The airway is partially open, and the pill is likely stuck in the oesophagus, not the windpipe. Follow this:
- Take small sips of water: Drink lukewarm water in small sips to help push the pill down. Avoid large gulps, as they may worsen the situation.
- Tilt your head slightly forward, and take a forceful suction sip while swallowing.
- Take a bite of banana or yoghurt or soft food. This can help the pill to move forward.
- Stand up straight or bend forward slightly while swallowing — this widens the oesophagus.
- In some cases, drinking a fizzy (carbonated) beverage like soda or sparkling water can help dislodge a pill stuck in the throat or oesophagus. The bubbles can help push the pill downward. The effervescence relaxes the oesophagus, it may reduce muscle tension.
IF NO → If the person is unable to breathe, cough, or speak, the pill may be blocking the airway (choking emergency). It is an emergency and call your doctor or reach the nearest hospital emergency. If the person cannot breathe, speak or cough, act quickly!
- Encourage Coughing
- Perform the Heimlich Manoeuvre (Abdominal Thrusts):
1) Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist.
2) Make a fist with one hand and place it just above their belly button.
3) Grab your fist with your other hand and press forcefully inward and upward in a quick motion.
4) Repeat 4-5 times till the pill comes out of the mouth.
If unsuccessful, call for emergency medical help or visit the nearest hospital emergency.
ABP: What is a clear sign that we must stop trying ourselves and rush immediately to the doctor?
Dr Paresh P. Naik: There are several signs one must look out for. If any of the following is happening, don’t waste time, and reach a doctor soon:
- The pill remains stuck despite trying water and food.
- The person experiences severe pain, chest discomfort, drooling, or difficulty breathing.
- There is persistent coughing, gagging, or vomiting.
- Symptoms like wheezing, hoarseness, or excessive saliva production develop.
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ABP: Is there a set of actions that we must not do? Do tell us the common mistakes likely that could hurt the patient.
Dr Paresh P. Naik: Oh, yes. Just as there are Dos in any emergency situations, there is a set of Don’ts as well. First up,
- Do NOT panic – Anxiety can tighten throat muscles, making it harder to swallow.
- Do NOT force yourself to swallow large gulps of water – This can worsen the situation by causing gagging or pushing the pill into the airway.
- Do NOT try to eat dry, hard foods – Dry foods (e.g., crackers, dry bread) can make the pill stick more firmly.
- Do NOT attempt to vomit unless advised by a doctor – Inducing vomiting can cause aspiration (breathing vomit in).
- Do NOT lie down immediately – Gravity helps in swallowing; lying down may cause more discomfort.
ABP: Is pill dysphagia or inability to swallow treatable?
Dr Paresh P. Naik: Repeated Pill dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing pills, is a treatable condition. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and involves a multidisciplinary approach, including ENT specialists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, speech therapists. A diagnosis is established after detailed assessment and certain investigations like:
- Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
- Video fluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS)
- Laryngoscopy & Endoscopy
- Swallowing Function Tests
- Esophageal Endoscopy
- MRI Scan of brain and gastrointestinal tract
Multidisciplinary care is essential to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
The writer is a senior independent journalist.
[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]
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