If food gets stuck in your throat but you aren’t choking, home remedies, including drinking a carbonated beverage, may help. But if you have severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, you may need medical attention.
Swallowing is a complex process. When you eat, your
When you take a bite of solid food, a three-step process begins:
- You prepare the food to be swallowed by chewing it. This process allows the food to mix with saliva, and transforms it into a moistened puree.
- Your swallowing reflex is triggered as your tongue pushes the food to the back of your throat. During this phase, your windpipe closes tightly, and your breathing stops. This prevents food from going down the wrong pipe.
- The food enters your esophagus and travels down into your stomach.
When it feels like something didn’t go all the way down, it’s usually because it’s stuck in your esophagus. Your breathing isn’t affected when this happens because the food has already cleared your windpipe. However, you may cough or gag.
Symptoms of food stuck in your esophagus develop immediately after it happens. It’s not uncommon to have severe chest pain. You may also experience excessive drooling. But there are often ways to resolve the issue at home.
The following techniques may assist you in removing food that’s become lodged in your esophagus.
The ‘Coca-Cola’ trick
Although they don’t know exactly how it works, doctors believe that the carbon dioxide gas in soda helps disintegrate the food. It’s also thought that some of the soda gets into the stomach, which then releases gas. The pressure of the gas can dislodge the stuck food.
Try a few cans of diet soda or seltzer water at home immediately after noticing the stuck food.
Effervescent drugs
An effervescent drug like Alka-Seltzer may help break down food that’s stuck in the throat. Effervescent drugs dissolve when mixed with a liquid. Similar to soda, the bubbles they produce when dissolving may help disintegrate the food and produce pressure that can dislodge it.
If you don’t have Alka-Seltzer, you can try mixing some baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) with water. This may help dislodge food in the same way.
In a similar way, medications that treat flatulence
Follow the standard dosing recommendation on the package.
Water
A few big sips of water may help you wash down the food stuck in your esophagus. Normally, your saliva provides enough lubrication to help food slide easily down the esophagus.
If your food wasn’t chewed properly, it may be too dry. Repeated sips of water may moisten the stuck food, making it go down more easily.
A moist piece of food
It may feel uncomfortable to swallow something else, but sometimes one food can help push another down. Try dipping a piece of bread in some water or milk to soften it, and take a few small bites.
Another effective option may be to take a bite of a banana, a naturally soft food.
Butter
Sometimes the esophagus needs an extra bit of lubrication. As unpleasant as it may sound, it may help to eat a tablespoon of butter. This can sometimes help moisten the lining of the esophagus and make it easier for the stuck food to move down into your stomach.
Wait it out
Food that gets stuck in the throat usually passes on its own, given some time. Give your body a chance to do its thing.
If you’re unable to swallow your saliva and are experiencing distress, go to your local emergency room as soon as possible. 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 a chance of damage to the lining of your esophagus.
Some doctors recommend coming in after 6—12 hours to reduce the likelihood of damage and make the extraction easier.
During an endoscopic procedure, your doctor can identify any possible underlying causes. If you frequently get food stuck in your throat, you should consult a doctor.
One of the most common problems is a narrowing of the esophagus caused by the buildup of scar tissue or esophageal stricture. A specialist can treat esophageal stricture by placing a stent or performing a dilation procedure.
Thousands of people die from choking every year. It’s particularly common among young children and adults over the age of 74. Choking happens when food or a foreign object gets stuck in your throat or windpipe, blocking the flow of air.
When someone is choking, they:
- are unable to talk
- have difficulty breathing or noisy breathing
- make squeaky sounds when trying to breathe
- cough, forcefully or weakly
- become flushed, then turn pale or bluish
- lose consciousness
Choking is a life threatening emergency. If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms, call your local emergency services and perform rescue techniques such as the Heimlich maneuver or chest compressions immediately as follows:
- Try to cough.
- Bend forward, and have someone give you about 5 back blows. This can help dislodge the stuck food.
- If this doesn’t work, progress to 5 abdominal thrusts, which is known as the Heimlich maneuver.
- If this doesn’t work, call 911 immediately.
How long does it take for something stuck in your throat to go away?
If the food isn’t lodged in your airway, it should go down your esophagus with some water or more food within about an hour. If it doesn’t proceed with various home treatments or see a doctor.
Why is something stuck in my throat but not choking?
The esophagus sits next to the trachea, which is the tube you breathe through. As long as the food is stuck in the esophagus, you shouldn’t feel like you’re choking.
Why does food feel like it gets stuck in my esophagus?
In many cases, food gets stuck in your throat because the piece you swallowed was too large or your esophagus has narrowed. There
Getting food stuck in your throat can be frustrating and painful. If this occurs frequently, talk with your doctor about possible underlying causes. Otherwise, you may be able to avoid a trip to the emergency room by treating yourself at home with carbonated beverages or other remedies.
In the future, be particularly careful when eating meat, as it’s the most common culprit. Avoid eating too quickly, take small bites, and avoid eating while intoxicated.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of human anatomy and health, particularly in the context of swallowing and the esophagus, I can assure you that dealing with the sensation of food stuck in the throat is a common concern. The information provided in the article aligns with my knowledge, and I'll elaborate on the concepts mentioned.
The process of swallowing is indeed intricate, involving coordinated muscle movements and nerve responses. When food feels stuck in the throat, it's often due to a blockage in the esophagus rather than the windpipe, allowing breathing to continue unaffected.
The article suggests various home remedies to alleviate the issue:
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Carbonated Beverage (Coca-Cola Trick): The carbon dioxide in soda is believed to disintegrate the stuck food, possibly aided by the release of gas in the stomach.
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Effervescent Drugs (Alka-Seltzer): These dissolve in liquid, producing bubbles that may help break down the food and create pressure to dislodge it.
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Water: Sipping water can moisten dry or improperly chewed food, facilitating its passage through the esophagus.
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Moist Food (e.g., bread or banana): Softening a piece of food and taking small bites can help push down the stuck item.
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Butter: Ingesting a tablespoon of butter might provide additional lubrication to the esophagus.
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Wait it out: In many cases, the stuck food may pass on its own with time.
The article also emphasizes the importance of seeking medical attention if severe symptoms persist. If food remains stuck, an endoscopic procedure within 24 hours may be necessary to avoid potential damage to the esophageal lining. Additionally, recurring incidents may indicate an underlying issue like esophageal stricture, which a doctor can address through interventions such as stenting or dilation.
Furthermore, the article touches on the critical topic of choking, providing symptoms and emergency measures. Choking is a life-threatening situation, and immediate action, such as the Heimlich maneuver or calling emergency services, is crucial.
Lastly, the article addresses common questions, including the duration for something stuck in the throat to resolve and reasons why it may feel stuck without causing choking.
In conclusion, while home remedies can be helpful, persistent issues or emergencies warrant professional medical attention. If someone experiences recurrent difficulties, consulting a doctor is advised to identify and address underlying causes.
