Ever had a coughing fit whilst eating?

Having a coughing fit whilst eating isn’t any fun at all - for the person coughing or the people around them. In those circumstances we, as 'spectators', do our best to help the distressed person and after a while things usually settle down. I recall a good friend profusely coughing at a restaurant one night, having just eaten multiple hot chillies. She did recover, completely undeterred from eating more chillies into the night.

Coughing is our body’s way of telling us something has gone down the wrong way - telling us that food or drink are heading to the lungs instead of the stomach. It’s a great ‘bodily siren’. The lungs should only manage the intake of air. Our stomach handles the intake of food and liquids. If the body gets this wrong, the consequences can be dire.

Sometimes, things do go amiss and there is no ‘bodily siren’, warning of impending danger. This is known as Silent Aspiration. For some, in fact up to 75% of those with swallowing difficulties, there are absolutely no symptoms or external warning signs of aspiration. The food or drink is heading straight for the lungs and no one knows.

When food or drink make their way into your lungs, they can damage the tissues there. The damage can sometimes be severe. Aspiration also increases the risk of pneumonia. This is an infection of the lungs that causes fluid to build up in the lungs. Not only painful, pneumonia can lead to hospitalisation, further infection and even death, in the elderly.

Don’t risk a lack of understanding about Safe Swallowing and what else you need to know to care for those who may be at risk of silent aspiration.



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