ear pain and trouble breathing and felt food in chest

My dad told me that just the other day coming home froma 12hour work early in the morning, both of his ears were hurting. He started to eat, then suddenly could not swallow his food and felt it stuck in his chest. He couldnt breathe.. And also had a hard time breathing through his nose. He was very scared and felt that he,was honestly not going to make it. this went on for 3hours,so he decided to go to the pharmacy to buy medine. He,bought a bottle of nyquil. He,felt better after taking it. Can you please tell me,what could be wrong with him, for that to happen.