Feeling food lodged in the esophagus can be a disconcerting experience, causing discomfort. While this sensation is common and usually not a life-threatening emergency, it requires attention. This article provides practical guidance on immediate actions, outlines situations warranting urgent medical care, explores common reasons food gets stuck, and offers strategies for prevention.
Immediate Steps to Dislodge Food
When food becomes lodged in the esophagus, several steps can help it pass. Drinking carbonated beverages, such as soda or seltzer water, may assist in dislodging the food. The carbon dioxide gas can help break down the food and increase pressure, potentially moving it into the stomach.
Taking effervescent drugs, like Alka-Seltzer dissolved in water, can also help. The bubbles produced may disintegrate the food and create pressure to dislodge it. Consuming plain water in large sips can moisten the stuck food, allowing it to slide down more easily, especially if the food was initially too dry.
Eating a small, soft bite of food, such as bread dipped in water or a piece of banana, might help push the lodged food down. Ingesting a tablespoon of butter can lubricate the esophagus, making it easier for the food to pass. Avoid inducing vomiting or performing blind finger sweeps, as these actions can be harmful.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Care
While uncomfortable, food stuck in the esophagus differs from choking, where the windpipe is obstructed and breathing is impaired. If breathing is unaffected, it may not be an immediate emergency, but certain symptoms indicate the need for urgent medical attention. These signs include severe chest pain, excessive drooling, or the inability to swallow anything, even saliva. These symptoms suggest a complete esophageal obstruction.
Additional indicators warranting immediate medical evaluation include difficulty breathing, persistent gagging, or repeated vomiting after eating. If these symptoms develop or if the food does not pass within a few hours, seeking care at an emergency room is advisable. A prolonged impaction can lead to irritation or damage to the esophageal lining. Healthcare professionals can assess the situation and, if necessary, perform procedures like an endoscopy to safely remove the food or push it into the stomach.
Common Reasons Food Gets Stuck
Food can become lodged in the esophagus due to behavioral habits and underlying physiological conditions. Eating too quickly, not chewing food thoroughly, or consuming large bites are common behavioral factors. Eating while distracted or talking can also interfere with the coordinated swallowing process.
Physiological factors often involve issues with the esophagus itself. Conditions like esophageal strictures, which are narrowings, can trap larger pieces of food. These strictures can develop from chronic acid reflux (GERD) due to scar tissue. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an immune system disease where white blood cells build up in the esophageal lining, can cause inflammation, stiffness, and narrowing, making swallowing difficult.
A Schatzki’s ring is another common cause, a band of extra tissue forming a circle in the lower esophagus, reducing its diameter. This can make it challenging for solid foods, particularly dry items like meat, to pass. Other conditions include achalasia, where the lower esophageal muscle does not relax properly, and esophageal spasms, with uncoordinated muscle contractions. Conditions affecting nerves or muscles involved in swallowing, such as certain neurological disorders, can also cause dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
Preventing Future Episodes
To reduce the likelihood of food getting stuck in the esophagus, adopting mindful eating habits is beneficial. Chewing food thoroughly into small, manageable pieces before swallowing is a primary preventive measure. Eating slowly and avoiding distractions during meals can also help ensure proper chewing and swallowing.
Staying hydrated by drinking water throughout meals can help lubricate food, aiding its passage. Cutting food, especially meats, into smaller sizes can prevent large pieces from getting lodged. If underlying medical conditions like GERD, eosinophilic esophagitis, or a Schatzki’s ring are identified, consulting a healthcare provider for management is important. Treating these conditions can help prevent inflammation, scarring, or narrowing of the esophagus, reducing future impactions.