Choking Hazard: The Dangers of Granular Toppings in Drinks

Recently, a 20-year-old girl choked on tapioca pearls after drinking milk tea at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi. The patient experienced difficulty breathing and had to undergo an endoscopy to remove the pearl beads from her right bronchus. This incident highlights the dangers of consuming drinks with granular, powdery toppings that have a sticky texture like tapioca pearls, jelly, or coconut jelly.

Dr. Nguyen Van Ngan from Tam Anh General Hospital advises against sucking too hard on these toppings as they can easily get stuck in the airway and cause choking. Instead, it’s best to eat them with a spoon, chew slowly, and avoid playing while eating. Children are more susceptible to choking on foreign objects due to their lack of knowledge and reflexes, so parents should supervise their meals and cut their food into smaller portions.

If choking occurs, first aid should be administered promptly to expel the object from the airway and prevent respiratory failure or death. For adults and children over two years old, the Heimlich maneuver can be used, while younger children may require back patting and chest compressions to dislodge the object. If first aid is unsuccessful, seeking medical attention is crucial.

In conclusion, consuming drinks with sticky textures like tapioca pearls can pose a significant risk of choking on foreign objects in the airways. It’s essential for individuals to be aware of this danger and take necessary precautions when drinking these types of drinks. Seeking medical attention promptly is also crucial if choking occurs.

The Respiratory Department at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi recently treated a 20-year-old girl who suffered from choking on tapioca pearls after drinking milk tea. The patient exhibited symptoms such as severe coughing, difficulty breathing blue lips that were caused by lack of oxygen due to obstructed airway caused by pearl beads in her right bronchus that were revealed through an endoscopy.

Dr. Nguyen Van Ngan from Tam Anh General Hospital warns that drinks served with various toppings can increase the risk of choking on foreign objects in the airways. Toppings in drinks are often granular, made of powder or gelatinous substances like tapioca pearls or jelly which are commonly eaten through large straws.

To reduce this risk, Dr. Ngan advises against sucking too hard as this can push the toppling into the airway leading to coughing and difficulty expelling it due to its sticky texture.

Choking on foreign objects is more common in young children who may not have the knowledge or reflexes necessary to prevent it.

To reduce this risk it’s recommended for children to eat these foods using spoons instead of large straws chew slowly and not play while eating.

If choking occurs immediately administer first aid promptly expel object from airway prevent respiratory failure or death.

For adults and children over two years old use Heimlich maneuver for younger children may require back patting chest compressions dislodge object if first aid unsuccessful seek medical attention even if removed