Health's Book

Definition

If you breathe a foreign object into the respiratory tract, it may become stuck and cause breathing or airway problems, as well as inflammation and infection.

If swallowed, a foreign object may become stuck along the gastrointestinal (GI)tract, which can lead to infection or bleeding.

See also: Choking

Symptoms

* Choking
* Coughing
* No breathing or breathing trouble (respiratory distress)
* Wheezing

However, in some cases, only minor symptoms are seen at first, and the object may be forgotten until later symptoms (inflammation, infection) develop.