What is the most common cause of obstructed airway in adults?

The most common cause of an obstructed airway in adults is a poorly chewed piece of meat. This situation often occurs during eating when food is not adequately broken down, making it larger and more susceptible to becoming lodged in the throat. Such an obstruction can lead to choking, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.

While food allergies can cause swelling of the throat, this is less common compared to mechanical obstruction from incorrectly chewed food. Vomiting can cause aspiration, but it usually is not the initial cause of obstruction in the absence of other factors. Fluid aspiration is a concern, but it typically happens during incidents like drowning or choking on liquid rather than being a frequent, everyday cause of airway obstruction when compared to the ingestion of food. Hence, the scenario of a poorly chewed piece of meat is a prominent risk in real-life situations, particularly associated with dining experiences.