Aspirating a pill means that a medication, instead of traveling down the esophagus towards the stomach, accidentally enters the airway, specifically the trachea or bronchi. This occurs when the protective mechanisms that normally prevent food or foreign objects from entering the lungs fail during swallowing. While the body has reflexes to prevent this, sometimes a pill can bypass these defenses, leading to irritation or obstruction within the respiratory system.
Immediate Signs and Symptoms
If a pill enters your airway, your body reacts immediately. A sudden, violent coughing fit or gagging sensation is a common initial response, as the body attempts to expel the foreign object. This can be accompanied by a feeling of choking, where you might struggle to breathe or feel like something is lodged in your throat. You might also experience immediate difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, as the pill can partially block the air passages.
Noisy breathing, such as wheezing or a high-pitched sound called stridor, can also occur as air struggles to pass around the obstruction. Some individuals report chest discomfort or a feeling of something being “stuck” in their chest or throat. Even if the pill is coughed up, irritation can cause lingering discomfort.
Potential Complications
If an aspirated pill is not successfully expelled, it can lead to several complications. Aspiration pneumonia is a lung infection that develops when the pill, or any accompanying bacteria, irritates or infects the lung tissue. This inflammation can also be referred to as pneumonitis, especially if the pill itself causes chemical irritation. The chemical nature of some pills can cause direct inflammation within the airway lining.
A pill lodged in the airway can also cause partial or complete airway obstruction, restricting airflow to a portion of the lung. If the pill dissolves, it might lead to chronic irritation of the mucous membrane, potentially causing fibrosis, a scarring of the lung tissue. This ongoing irritation can also result in a persistent cough that does not resolve on its own.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention if you suspect you have aspirated a pill, especially if symptoms persist or worsen. Call emergency services immediately if you experience severe distress, such as an inability to speak, bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, or fingernails, or severe difficulty breathing. These signs indicate an airway obstruction that requires urgent intervention.
Even if immediate severe symptoms are not present, medical evaluation is advised for persistent or severe coughing, ongoing breathing difficulties, or chest pain. Delayed symptoms like the development of a fever, new cough, or increased sputum production days after a suspected aspiration event also warrant medical attention, as these could indicate an infection like aspiration pneumonia. A healthcare provider can assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action, which may include imaging or a procedure to remove the pill.