Feeling a pill lodged in your chest after swallowing can be unsettling. While often not a severe emergency, understanding why this happens and what to do can help manage discomfort and prevent complications. This article covers common causes, how long the sensation might persist, and when to seek medical attention.
Understanding the Sensation
When a pill feels stuck in your chest, it is typically lodged in the esophagus, the muscular tube connecting your throat to your stomach, not your windpipe or lungs. The sensation often occurs around the cricopharyngeus muscle at the top of the esophagus. This can manifest as discomfort, pressure, or a persistent feeling of a lump. Even after a pill has passed, the sensation can linger due to temporary irritation or inflammation of the esophageal lining.
Reasons Pills Get Stuck
Several factors can cause a pill to lodge in the esophagus. Swallowing pills without enough liquid is a common reason. Taking medication while lying down or before sleep also increases risk, as gravity plays a lesser role. The size, shape, and texture of pills, especially large or oddly shaped ones, can make them difficult to swallow.
Underlying medical conditions can also predispose individuals to pills getting stuck. These include dry mouth (xerostomia) and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) caused by conditions such as esophageal strictures or motility disorders. These conditions impair the esophagus’s muscular contractions, making it harder for pills to pass.
How Long Pills Can Remain Stuck
Most pills that feel stuck will dislodge within minutes to a few hours. The feeling of discomfort, however, can persist for several hours or even days, even after the pill has passed. This lingering sensation is typically due to irritation or a mild injury to the esophageal lining caused by the pill’s presence or its dissolution.
Factors influencing how long a pill remains lodged include the pill’s type, the amount of liquid consumed, and any pre-existing esophageal conditions. While uncommon, some pills can remain in the esophagus for extended periods, potentially leading to complications. This prolonged contact allows the medication to dissolve and exert a direct irritating effect on the esophageal tissue.
Actions to Take if a Pill Gets Stuck
If you experience the sensation of a pill being stuck, remaining calm is important, as anxiety can tighten throat muscles and prolong the sensation. Drink plenty of water, as this can help flush the pill down. Warm water may be more effective in relaxing the esophagus and aiding passage. Eating a small amount of soft food, such as a piece of bread or a banana, can also help push the pill into the stomach.
Stay upright for at least 30 minutes after taking medication to allow gravity to assist in its descent. Avoid attempting to force yourself to vomit, as this can cause additional irritation or harm to the esophagus. If the pill is causing you to cough, continue to do so, as coughing can sometimes help dislodge the object.
When to Seek Medical Attention and Potential Risks
While most instances of a pill feeling stuck are temporary, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. Seek help if you experience severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, drooling, or an inability to swallow even liquids. Vomiting blood or feeling that the pill is stuck for more than a few hours despite attempts to dislodge it are also signs to contact a healthcare professional.
If a pill remains lodged for too long, it can lead to complications such as inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis), ulceration, or the formation of scar tissue that narrows the esophagus (strictures). In rare instances, prolonged irritation can even result in a perforation, a tear in the esophageal wall. Certain medications, including some antibiotics (like doxycycline), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), bisphosphonates, iron supplements, and potassium chloride, are more likely to cause significant damage if they get stuck due to their acidic or alkaline properties.