Most swallowed objects will pass through your body without any problem and show up in your stool within 3 days. If the object does not show up in your stool within 7 days, your doctor may order tests to find out where it is in your body.
Endoscopy: Impacted food may need to be removed with a procedure if it's thought that it might not move with the administration of medications. During an endoscopy, the endoscope can either push the food further down into the stomach or pull it out through the mouth.
Sometimes, however, food get can stuck in the esophagus, creating an uncomfortable sensation in the throat or chest. At other times, the epiglottis does not close sufficiently during swallowing, which allows food to enter the airways. This can result in choking. Both types of blockage can cause pain and discomfort.
If the lining inside your esophagus becomes too narrow, food can get stuck on its way down. A narrowing of the esophagus is called an esophageal stricture. Strictures can be caused by longstanding GERD, if scar tissue forms. They are also common in an allergic condition of the esophagus called eosinophilic esophagitis.
Play along, think about it, if you get food stuck in your throat, should you go to the ER? I can think of one instance where you would. That's where if it's blocking your ability to breathe, then absolutely call 911, go to the ER.
If an obstruction interferes with breathing, call for emergency help immediately. If you're unable to swallow because you feel that food is stuck in your throat or chest, go to the nearest emergency department.
If a piece of food is stuck in the upper esophagus, it can get dislodged and fall into the wind pipe, which would cut off the air supply and the person might turn blue and pass out. If the food is stuck in the lower esophagus, the person could probably still swallow their spit, but it would be very painful.
Signs of choking (complete airway obstruction) are present. When the windpipe is blocked, air cannot move in and out of the lungs and the person cannot talk, cry, breathe, or cough.
If you notice someone choking or having trouble breathing, it's important to call 911 and seek emergency help immediately. You should make an appointment to see a doctor if you have repeated symptoms that reflect difficulty swallowing, like: pain while swallowing. choking.
Pain when swallowing. Repeatedly choking or gagging when swallowing. A delay in the passage of food that lasts more than a few seconds. A sensation that food is stuck in the throat or chest.
“Food can get stuck in the top part of the esophagus, which can go into the windpipe and cause air obstruction and choking,” says Dr. Garnica.
Getting help from your doctor
If you're not in distress but the food is still stuck, you can have an endoscopic procedure to remove the food within 24 hours . After that, there's risk of damage to the lining of your esophagus.
The most common causes of globus pharyngeus are anxiety and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a form of acid reflux that causes the stomach's contents to travel back up the food pipe and sometimes into the throat. This can result in muscle spasms that trigger feelings of an object caught in the throat.
Once food has entered the esophagus, it doesn't just drop right into your stomach. Instead, muscles in the walls of the esophagus move in a wavy way to slowly squeeze the food through the esophagus. This takes about 2 or 3 seconds.
Peristalsis: Ingestion 3
In the oesophagus, the bolus is moved along by rhythmic contractions of the muscles present in its walls. For a medium-sized bolus, it takes about 5–8 seconds to reach the stomach.
Esophageal Stricture: A narrowed esophagus (stricture) can trap large pieces of food. Tumors or scar tissue, often caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can cause narrowing. Esophageal Tumor: If an esophageal tumor is present, swallowing tends to become progressively more difficult.
There's probably been a time when you swallowed some food or drink and it felt like it went down the wrong pipe. That's when a bit of food or liquid may have headed toward your lungs rather than your stomach. Most of the time when this happens, you'll cough, and the food or liquid will clear out of your airway.
Aspiration pneumonia is a complication of pulmonary aspiration, or the inhalation of food, liquid or vomit into the lungs. When the respiratory system is healthy and strong, pulmonary aspiration often clears up on its own.