What Causes Severe Cough After Accidental Aspiration Of Food Into The Lungs?

Posted on Thu, 7 Jan 2016

Question: Hello. I'm pregnant and worried I aspirated some popcorn last night. I didn't cough when it happened but it felt funny, like I breathed it in. I coughed a bit about an hour later but not sure if it was just because I was worried about it. I went to bed and slept through the night without problems and now in the morning I have been coughing a little here and there but no other respitory symptoms. Should I be worried about pneumonia or my lungs?

Answered by Dr. Zenab Tambawala (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi there, welcome to HCM,
You need not worry, if the popcorn had actually blocked the wind pipe or any bronchi, you would be very uncomfortable, unable to breathe easily or for that matter sleep peacefully at night.
Need not worry about anything. Aspirating is dangerous when stomach contents get into the food pipe during pregnancy the lower esophagus sphincter is relaxed and can help the acidic contents of stomach get into the wind pipe and cause aspiration pneumonia.
It is more common during anesthesia for cesarean. It does not happen in a active patient like you.
So please dont worry and relax.
Hope this helps.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D