Between turkey, roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts and cranberry sauce, the elaborate festive spread can prompt you to tuck in with fervour and chew quickly. Your big appetite could leave the back of your throat feeling funny.
However, if you experience eating difficulties like these frequently, it could be a sign of something more serious, according to Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy. Worryingly, the doctor outlined cancer signs that can strike when you sit down to enjoy Christmas dinner.
Swallowing food could raise red flags, pointing to oesophageal cancer. Dr Lee said: “Sudden choking on your roast turkey is a very distressing occurrence which may signify an underlying oesophageal (food pipe) or gastric (stomach) cancer.”
The cancer of the food pipe could also trigger pain in your throat or the middle of your chest, especially when swallowing. The oesophagus is a hollow tube that passes from the back of your throat to the top of your stomach.
When you eat and chew, the lumps of food pass down through your oesophagus into the stomach. However, a tumour in the tube could be causing pesky problems.
Dr Lee said: “These cancers can cause dysphagia as they can affect the ability to chew food, they may cause a dry mouth, so that food sticks in the throat, or they may make the throat muscles weak, meaning it’s hard to swallow.
“A tumour growing inside the oesophagus can… prevent food from passing through.”
While choking and pain in your throat could be warning signs of oesophageal cancer, the doctor explained that these symptoms will be persistent and not only appear on Christmas Eve.
Furthermore, other signs could also hold clues. Dr Lee said: “Most people with oesophageal cancer will have other symptoms such as weight loss, cough, a hoarse voice, and have noticed dysphagia before they suddenly choke on their food.
“Always listen to your body, don’t stick your head in the sand.
“If you notice these symptoms, see your GP before you have a potentially fatal choking episode with the Christmas turkey.”
What to do if you start choking
The doctor added that a sudden choking episode that can’t be relieved with coughing is a medical emergency. She then recommended starting back blows and abdominal thrusts.
First, give five back blows
Dr Lee said: “Sit the person forward. Put the heel of both hands between the shoulder blades, and give five hard, sharp blows.
“If unsuccessful, phone 999, then perform five abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich manoeuvre).”
Five abdominal thrusts
The doctor added: “To do the Heimlich manoeuvre stand behind the person, place your hands around their chest and abdomen, making a fist with one hand and cupping it with the other.
“Your fist should be placed just above the navel (tummy button). Pull sharply inwards and upwards towards their rib cage, five times, to try and dislodge the food.”
You should alternate between five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until help arrives.
