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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Happens When A Substance Is Stuck In The Trachea?

I accidentall inhaled a piece of bathroom tissue. It has been stuck in my trachea for 3 days. I have tried and tried to cough it up, since it feels like it is just a little lower than my uvula. Should I do anything about this, even though my airway is fine? Or will it degrade on its own even though it is in my trachea and not my esophagus?
Tue, 24 Jan 2017
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Hi, thank you for posting your query on health care magic.

I can understand your concern.

You inhaled a piece of bathroom tissue accidentally.If it is in your trachea,then you might suffer from symptoms like difficulty in breathing,Noisy breathing,Cough,etc

You feel that foreign body is just a little lower than your uvula.There is a possibility that foreign body might have stuck in your pharynx.

I would not advise you to do anything to get it removed .And it may or may not degrade.If it gets lodged for a longer time,then there are chances of infection and it may go lower down from your trachea into lungs.

I would advise you to have a Chest and Lateral view of neck X-ray
Also advise you to consult an Otolaryngologist doctor for throat examination to look for any foreign body.

If the foreign body has reached airway,then you will need to consult a pulmonologist ,who can remove the foreign body from your airway by Endoscopy.

Hope this answers your question.Take care.
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What Happens When A Substance Is Stuck In The Trachea?

Hi, thank you for posting your query on health care magic. I can understand your concern. You inhaled a piece of bathroom tissue accidentally.If it is in your trachea,then you might suffer from symptoms like difficulty in breathing,Noisy breathing,Cough,etc You feel that foreign body is just a little lower than your uvula.There is a possibility that foreign body might have stuck in your pharynx. I would not advise you to do anything to get it removed .And it may or may not degrade.If it gets lodged for a longer time,then there are chances of infection and it may go lower down from your trachea into lungs. I would advise you to have a Chest and Lateral view of neck X-ray Also advise you to consult an Otolaryngologist doctor for throat examination to look for any foreign body. If the foreign body has reached airway,then you will need to consult a pulmonologist ,who can remove the foreign body from your airway by Endoscopy. Hope this answers your question.Take care.