Seek emergency medical care
Home remedies
Medical treatment
Takeaway and prevention
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Overview
Swallowing is a complex process. When you eat, around 50 pairs of muscles and many nerves work together to move food from your mouth to your stomach. It’s not uncommon for something to go wrong during this process, making it feel like you have food stuck in your throat.
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.
When to seek emergency medical care
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.
Ways to remove food stuck in throat
The following techniques may assist you in removing food that’s become lodged in your esophagus.
The ‘Coca-Cola’ trick
Research suggestsTrusted Source that drinking a can of Coke, or another carbonated beverage, can help dislodge food stuck in the esophagus. Doctors and emergency workers often utilize this simple technique to break up food.
Although they don’t know exactly how it works, doctors believeTrusted Source 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.
Purchase seltzer water online.
Simethicone
Over-the-counter medications designed to treat gas pain may help dislodge food stuck in the esophagus. In the same way as carbonated sodas, medications containing simethicone (Gas-X) make it easier for your stomach to produce gas. This gas increases the pressure in your esophagus and can push the food loose.
Follow the standard dosing recommendation on the package.
Shop for simethicone medications.
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 banana, a naturally soft food.
Alka-Seltzer or baking soda
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.
Find Alka-Seltzer online.
If you don’t have Alka-Seltzer, you can try mixing some baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, with water. This may help dislodge food in the same way.
Shop for sodium bicarbonate.
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.
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Getting help from your doctor
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 hoursTrusted Source. After that, there’s risk of damage to the lining of your esophagus. Some doctors recommend coming in after 6 to 12 hoursTrusted Source 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.
The takeaway
Getting food stuck in your throat can be frustrating and painful. If this occurs frequently, talk to 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.
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Medically reviewed by Suzanne Falck, M.D., FACP — Written by Corinne O'Keefe Osborn — Updated on March 7, 2019
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Benign Esophageal Stricture
Causes
Symptoms
Complications
Diagnosis
Treatment
Outlook
Prevention
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
What is benign esophageal stricture?
Benign esophageal stricture describes a narrowing or tightening of the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that brings food and liquids from your mouth to your stomach. “Benign” means it’s not cancerous.
Benign esophageal stricture typically occurs when stomach acid and other irritants damage the lining of the esophagus over time. This leads to inflammation (esophagitis) and scar tissue, which causes the esophagus to narrow.
Although benign esophageal stricture isn’t a sign of cancer, the condition can cause several problems. Narrowing of the esophagus may make it difficult to swallow. This increases the risk of choking. It can also lead to complete obstruction of the esophagus. This can prevent food and fluids from reaching the stomach.
What causes benign esophageal stricture?
Benign esophageal stricture can happen when scar tissue forms in the esophagus. This is often the result of damage to the esophagus. The most common cause of damage is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux.
GERD occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) doesn’t close or tighten properly. The LES is the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach. It normally opens for a short amount of time when you swallow. Stomach acid can flow back up into the esophagus when it doesn’t close completely. This creates a burning sensation in the lower chest known as heartburn.
Frequent exposure to harmful stomach acid can cause scar tissue to form. Eventually, the esophagus will narrow.
Other causes of benign esophageal stricture include:
radiation therapy to the chest or neck
accidental swallowing of an acidic or corrosive substance (such as batteries or household cleaners)
extended use of a nasogastric tube (a special tube that carries food and medicine to the stomach through the nose)
esophageal damage caused by an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube used to look inside a body cavity or organ)
treatment of esophageal varices (enlarged veins in the esophagus that can rupture and cause severe bleeding)
Symptoms of benign esophageal stricture
Typical symptoms of benign esophageal stricture include:
difficult or painful swallowing
unintended weight loss
regurgitation of food or liquids
sensation of something stuck in the chest after you eat
frequent burping or hiccups
heartburn
Potential complications of benign esophageal stricture
Dense and solid foods can lodge in the esophagus when it narrows. This may cause choking or difficulty breathing.
Problems swallowing can prevent you from getting enough food and liquid. This may lead to dehydration and malnutrition.
There’s also a risk of getting pulmonary aspiration, which occurs when vomit, food, or fluids enter your lungs. This could result in aspiration pneumonia, an infection caused by bacteria growing around the food, vomit or fluids in the lung.
Learn more: Aspiration pneumonia: Symptoms, causes, and treatment »
Diagnosing benign esophageal stricture
Your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose the condition:
Barium swallow test
A barium swallow test includes a series of X-rays of the esophagus. These X-rays are taken after you drink a special liquid containing the element barium. Barium isn’t toxic or dangerous. This contrast material temporarily coats the lining of your esophagus. This allows your doctor to see your throat more clearly.
Upper GI endoscopy
In an upper gastrointestinal (upper GI) endoscopy, your doctor will place an endoscope through your mouth and into your esophagus. An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with an attached camera. It allows your doctor to examine your esophagus and upper intestinal tract.
Learn more: Endoscopy »
Your doctor can use forceps (tongs) and scissors attached to the endoscope to remove tissue from the esophagus. They’ll then analyze this sample of tissue to find the underlying cause of your benign esophageal stricture.
Esophageal pH monitoring
This test measures the amount of stomach acid that enters your esophagus. Your doctor will insert a tube through your mouth into your esophagus. The tube is usually left in your esophagus for at least 24 hours.
Treating benign esophageal stricture
Treatment for benign esophageal stricture varies depending on the severity and underlying cause.
Esophageal dilation
Esophageal dilation, or stretching, is the preferred option in most cases. Esophageal dilation can cause some discomfort, so you’ll be under general or moderate sedation during the procedure.
Your doctor will insert an endoscope through your mouth into your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Once they see the strictured area, they’ll place a dilator into the esophagus. The dilator is a long, thin tube with a balloon at the tip. Once the balloon inflates, it will expand the narrowed area in the esophagus.
Your doctor may need to repeat this procedure in the future to prevent your esophagus from narrowing again.
Esophageal stent placement
The insertion of esophageal stents can provide relief from esophageal stricture. A stent is a thin tube made of plastic, expandable metal, or a flexible mesh material. Esophageal stents can help keep a blocked esophagus open so you can swallow food and liquids.
You’ll be under general or moderate sedation for the procedure. Your doctor will use an endoscope to guide the stent into place.
Diet & lifestyle
Making certain adjustments to your diet and lifestyle can effectively manage GERD, which is the primary cause of benign esophageal stricture.
These changes can include:
-elevating your pillow to prevent stomach acid from flowing back up into your esophagus
-losing weight
-eating smaller meals
-not eating for three hours before bedtime
-quitting smoking
-avoiding alcohol
You should also avoid foods that cause acid reflux, such as:
-spicy foods
-fatty foods
-carbonated beverages
-chocolate
-coffee and caffeinated products
-tomato-based foods
-citrus products
-Medication
Medications can also be an important part of your treatment plan.
A group of acid-blocking drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), are the most effective medications for managing the effects of GERD. These drugs act by blocking the proton pump, a special type of protein, which helps reduce the amount of acid in the stomach.
Your doctor may prescribe these medications for short-term relief to allow your stricture to heal. They may also recommend them for long-term treatment to prevent recurrence.
The PPIs used to control GERD include:
omeprazole
lansoprazole (Prevacid)
pantoprazole (Protonix)
esomeprazole (Nexium)
Other medications may also be effective for treating GERD and reducing your risk of esophageal stricture. They are:
antacids: provide short-term relief by neutralizing acids in the stomach
sucralfate (Carafate): provides a barrier that lines the esophagus and stomach to protect them from acidic stomach juices
antihistamines, such as famotidine (Pepcid AC): decrease the secretion of acid
Shop for antacids online at Amazon.
-elevating your pillow to prevent stomach acid from flowing back up into your esophagus
-losing weight
-eating smaller meals
-not eating for three hours before bedtime
-quitting smoking
-avoiding alcohol
You should also avoid foods that cause acid reflux, such as:
-spicy foods
-fatty foods
-carbonated beverages
-chocolate
-coffee and caffeinated products
-tomato-based foods
-citrus products
-Medication
Medications can also be an important part of your treatment plan.
A group of acid-blocking drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), are the most effective medications for managing the effects of GERD. These drugs act by blocking the proton pump, a special type of protein, which helps reduce the amount of acid in the stomach.
Your doctor may prescribe these medications for short-term relief to allow your stricture to heal. They may also recommend them for long-term treatment to prevent recurrence.
The PPIs used to control GERD include:
omeprazole
lansoprazole (Prevacid)
pantoprazole (Protonix)
esomeprazole (Nexium)
Other medications may also be effective for treating GERD and reducing your risk of esophageal stricture. They are:
antacids: provide short-term relief by neutralizing acids in the stomach
sucralfate (Carafate): provides a barrier that lines the esophagus and stomach to protect them from acidic stomach juices
antihistamines, such as famotidine (Pepcid AC): decrease the secretion of acid
Shop for antacids online at Amazon.
Surgery
Your doctor may recommend surgery if medication and esophageal dilation are ineffective. A surgical procedure can repair your LES and help prevent GERD symptoms.
Long-term outlook for people with benign esophageal stricture
Treatment can correct benign esophageal stricture and help relieve the associated symptoms. However, the condition can occur again. Among the people who undergo esophageal dilation, approximately 30 percent need another dilation within one year.
You may need to take medication throughout your lifetime to control GERD and reduce your risk of developing another esophageal stricture.
Preventing benign esophageal stricture
You can help prevent benign esophageal stricture by avoiding substances that can damage your esophagus. Protect your children by keeping all corrosive household substances out of their reach.
Managing symptoms of GERD can also greatly reduce your risk for esophageal stricture. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding dietary and lifestyle choices that can minimize the backup of acid into your esophagus. It’s also important to make sure you take all medications as prescribed to control symptoms of GERD.
