Seniors choking problems?

chic

chic

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U.S.
Hi everyone. My 85 year old mom has developed a choking problem in recent months that is severe and blocks her windpipe so she can't get any oxygen and feels like she's going to die. She's had 2 of these episodes since Christmas. She chokes on nothing. Luckily she has an annual physical coming up in 2 weeks and I told her to ask her doctor about the choking issue.

Has anyone here had, or known of some other senior who has had a serious choking problem? What was the diagnosis? The treatment?

TIA.
 

Sounds really scary Chic, insist that she bring it up with the doc. Once in awhile I do get an episode where I swallow air and it brings on a coughing fit but nothing like you describe.
 

Thanks Mizz. It is really scary and could kill her when I'm not there to help. Maybe someone here will know something about this strange choking problem.
 
It started happening to my mother in her 60s. It didn't matter if she was eating fast or slow, or taking small or big bites. The doctors told her that it was common in the elderly to form a crook in their esophagus, probably due to a weakening caused by an old injury, either caused by something physical, old age or heartburn/acid reflux. She just dealt with it, and luckily the choking was only scary but caused no serious event.

I was with her once in a Chinese restaurant when it happened, we both were alarmed, but then she told me this had been happening with her. She was very embarrassed and we left the restaurant immediately afterwards. I felt sorry for her, but I don't think her doctor offered any real solution for the condition.
 
I've had my esophagus dilated twice, years ago. Now, I just choke a lot on liquids, not solid food. A couple of summers ago, I was choking on some ice tea and the waiter was trying to get ahold of me to do a Heimlich maneuver. I was twirling around, trying to fight him off. It was really embarrassing but we had a good laugh over it afterwards. It's funny, but "big gulps" don't seem to be a problem, just "little sips".

I had the full gamut of swallow testing last year and they can't see anything seriously wrong in there. I just have to remember to be careful when swallowing liquids. I never choke on solids.

The Spousal Equivalent's mother, unfortunately, can't swallow at all and has to be tube fed special Ensure through a tube permanently placed through her stomach wall. She chokes on her saliva all the time. It's a horrible existence.
 

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