I had an actual choking incident today, a true upper airway obstruction. A one of my B12 gummies became lodged in the nasopharynx, which is the anatomical space behind the nose where the nasal cavity and throat connect. Because I’m primarily a nasal breather, the sudden blockage caused an immediate interruption of airflow and triggered an acute airway distress response.

The body’s protective reflex for a partial obstruction is the cough reflex arc. This involves the diaphragm, larynx, and respiratory muscles generating a rapid burst of air to expel the obstruction. The pressure was strong enough that a gummy fragment was forced upward and exited through my nasal passage. The burning sensation and pink mucus afterward were due to irritation of the nasal and pharyngeal mucosa, which are extremely sensitive tissues. The nasopharynx is the uppermost region of the pharynx, positioned behind the nasal cavity. It serves as the passageway for airflow from the nose into the respiratory tract. Because the tissue there is delicate and highly innervated, any obstruction or irritation can cause burning, coughing, or nasal discharge.

For context: choking becomes life‑threatening when the airway is fully obstructed. Without airflow, oxygen levels drop quickly, and loss of consciousness can occur within minutes due to hypoxia. My airway wasn’t completely sealed, I could still generate a cough, which is why the reflex was able to clear it before it progressed to a full obstruction.

I’m okay now, just dealing with irritation and soreness from the event. This is a reminder that even soft foods or supplements can cause airway compromise if they enter the wrong anatomical pathway.