If your epiglottis stops working properly, it may not be able to close off the windpipe (trachea) when you swallow, allowing food and liquids to enter your airway. This can lead to aspiration, which is when foreign substances enter your lungs instead of going down into your stomach. Aspiration can result in choking, coughing, inflammation of the airway, or even lung infections. It is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
