One reason food may become impacted is that it is swallowed before it is chewed well.
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What Is Food Impaction?
Food impaction is common and is usually treatable.
Sac C Wat’hn Buy Thna Thwi Phl / EyeEm / Getty Images
However, it can be an emergency.
In some cases, it can be fatal, so seeking treatment for symptoms is important.
Esophagus Function
Thedigestionof food starts in the mouth.
Food is broken down by saliva while it is chewed by the teeth.
It is then swallowed and enters the esophagus.
Food travels down the esophagus and into the stomach.
The muscles inside the esophagus help move food down through it.
The movement the muscles inside the esophagus make is calledperistalsis.
If food gets caught somewhere between the mouth and the stomach, it may become impacted.
Impacted food may prevent other food from being swallowed and going down the esophagus to the stomach.
Food Impaction vs. Dysphagia
Dysphagiais a condition that causes difficulty in swallowing.
Food impaction can be a cause of acute (sudden) dysphagia.
Some of the causes of dysphagia include:
Symptoms of dysphagia can include:
Whos at Risk?
Food getting caught in the esophagus can be an emergency.
This can be used to locate where the food is in the esophagus and its size.
Treatment Options
There are a few treatment options for food impaction.
The healthcare provider will help in making a decision about which option to use.
Medication: Some drugs can help relax the muscles in the esophagus.
This might be done when endoscopy isnt available or if medications or an endoscopy cant be used.
This includes areas of the world in which fewer resources are available for emergency care.
Preventing Food Impaction
Food impaction can happen to anyone.
It occurs more often during holidays, such as Thanksgiving.
Participating in speed-eating competitions may also increase the risk of food impaction.
Its recommended to avoid these events.
How Much to Chew
Chewing food well may help in avoiding food impaction.
Digestion begins in the mouth.Enzymesin the saliva break down food while its being chewed.
Chewing food well and taking time to eat slowly is important.
For some people, changes to diet may be needed to avoid impaction.
This includes eatingsofter foodsthat are more easily swallowed.
Summary
Food impaction in the esophagus is a common problem that can be an emergency.
Meats and bones are common causes of food impaction incidents.
If the food doesnt pass on its own, medications may help.
For some cases, removing food through an endoscopy procedure is needed.
A Word From Verywell
Having impacted food in the esophagus can be scary and uncomfortable.
Taking care while eating, chewing well, and drinking liquids may all help in avoiding food getting stuck.
Frequently Asked Questions
No.
Choking is a medical emergency because something is lodged in the windpipe and a person cannot breathe.
The Heimlich maneuver forces air up through the windpipe to force the object out.
Food thats caught in the esophagus cant be dislodged this way.
Food impaction in which a person can breathe is not always an emergency.
Forceful coughing, drinking water, or drinking some cola may help dislodge food.
Babies may drool, gag, spit up or vomit if they have a food impaction.
Food impaction is not always serious.
In some cases, it may resolve on its own.
A food impaction might feel like something is stuck in the throat.
It is uncomfortable and may even be painful and will interfere with swallowing.
People may also gag, vomit, or drool.
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