How to Clear an Esophageal Blockage

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 References

Esophageal blockages can be really uncomfortable, and leave you with a painful feeling in your throat or chest.^{[1]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Don’t worry. We’re here to answer all your questions, so you can feel better as soon as possible.

Question 1

Question 1 of 5:
What causes blockage in esophagus?

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Chunks of food or foreign can create an esophageal blockage.^{[2]
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Research source} Stuck food in your esophagus is sometimes called “Steakhouse Syndrome,” since these blockages happen more often with solid food.^{[3]
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Research source}

Question 2

Question 2 of 5:
How do you know if you have a blockage in your esophagus?

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Chest pain and drooling are common signs. You might also have trouble swallowing, or feel like you’re gagging, choking, or coughing.^{[4]
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Research source}

Question 3

Question 3 of 5:
Why do I feel like there is something stuck in my esophagus?

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Dysphagia could be the culprit. Dysphagia is a fancy term for having trouble swallowing. This can be caused by a lot of factors, including food obstruction. With dysphagia, you feel like there’s a lump in your chest or throat.^{[5]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Dysphagia is also caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), where stomach contents re-enter and irritate your esophagus.
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Globus pharyngeus might be the issue. With globus pharyngeus, you feel like food or a foreign object is lodged in your throat or chest, even if there’s nothing there. This condition isn’t painful, but it’s still frustrating to deal with.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

Question 4

Question 4 of 5:
What helps food go down the esophagus?

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Drink a carbonated beverage if the blockage isn’t that bad. Doctors agree that, in moderation, carbonated drinks can help. However, if your blockage is pretty severe, this remedy might make it worse. In severe cases, always call a doctor or emergency services for help.^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- If you don’t have soda or seltzer water on hand, regular water might do the trick, too.

Question 5

Question 5 of 5:
How is an esophageal obstruction treated?

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A doctor might inject glucagon.^{[8]
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Research source} Glucagon is a drug that helps relax muscles in your digestive system, like the muscles in your esophagus.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine
Go to source} This injection might clear up the blockage.^{[10]
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Research source}
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Doctors may clear up the blockage with an endoscope. They might take a contrast scan, which helps them pinpoint where the blockage is. Then, they’ll get rid of the blockage with an endoscope, or through further surgery.^{[11]
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Research source}

Warnings

If you’re choking, get help or call emergency services right away.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
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