What to Do if Food is Stuck?

[@BRINpeterson]

My Dad had a piece of chicken stuck in his throat. He went to pizza ranch for lunch yesterday. He waited until 1 AM to go in. He couldnt even get a single drop of water down. He had to have surgery to remove it. The piece was rather large and located in the lower third of the esophagus. I swear this man has 9 lives.

[@ef3049]

jesusss and im freaking out abt a pill that will dissolve 💀 im glad he's better

[@itsCDD]

I decided to go have a nice steak for my birthday last year. After the first bite it was stuck. Unfortunately I didn’t know this at the moment and tried fighting the pain, uncomfort,lack of being able to eat or drink and the constant dry-heaving for 6 hours before I decided it was time for a ER trip. Once I arrived the doctor immediately asked me to drink some ginger ale. I took a big sip and this was the scariest moment of the night. It wouldn’t go down and I ended up feeling like I was choking and couldn’t breathe until I finally gagged it up. Finally an order was put in for me to get an endoscopy and the giant piece of steak was finally removed after 12 hours of pain.

[@johnmartin7158]

We had a male fitness freak in NZ die of steaks and meats getting stuck when attending a barbecue. I’m 67 now and I’ve experienced things getting partially stuck. I’ve got to eat more slowly now and chew more than I use to. Can be a little scary. Normally I find milk helps to dislodge, water not as much. Cheers.

[@johnmartin7158]

Has it happened again to you. Can be scary I know.

[@LoveMunch-ev8uh]

Thank you for making these videos i was recently diagnosed with EOE and it was very frightening and caused a lot of anxiety. You're videos have helped me understand it and how to manage it as well as know what to bring up at my doctor visit

[@MarkCooperMD]

Thanks I’m glad it has helped you prepare for your visits.

[@ef3049]

what did ur eoe feel like at the beginning and how did it evolve if u don't mind sharing

[@jeancarloferreira9770]

@@MarkCooperMD I had 3 food impactions in the past where I had to force the food out by making myself vomit it out since I was not able to drink water to wash it down. I just had an endoscopy done yesterday so just waiting on biopsy results. I'm glad I found your channel very informative

[@liliere1]

Thank you deep from my heart for this information. I live in Quebec, Canada, where health system is managed 100% by the government. Since december I have been trying to be checked and diagnosed for food getting stuck in my throat. Impossible to see a ENT in 3 full months and NOBODY has taken this 7 minutes of explaination to say that probably is not cancer and when it is the time to go to the ER.

[@MarkCooperMD]

If you’re getting food stuck you probably don’t need an ENT you need a GI. It’s important to get checked.

[@matthomson8731]

Thanks doctor. This has now happened to me twice. One ER visit to remove.

[@Bikewithlove]

To belch deliberately, you can manipulate your diaphragm to suck air into your stomach then ‘belch’ it out. If a clump of food is stuck in your esophagus, try to belch. When you do this, the first ‘sucking’ part of belching will feel blocked. Maintain that firm, steady ‘belch’ suction and the pressure from it should ‘pull down’ the food into your stomach.

[@tyhik9338]

Did it work for you?

[@mlmagma448]

Thank you so much you actually just saved my life I thought I was about to die from a watermelon price Gos Bless You(my heart is beating like crazy and my hands are shaking lol

[@mlmagma448]

Peice not price

[@ashleighpyke]

When I had dried chicken left over from my takeaway that I had last night it got stuck in my throat I tried everything coughing tapping my chest drinking water and nothing actually helped so I continued to choke until the food actually went down

[@Bikewithlove]

You can also try belching. You know the first part where you suck air into your stomach for the belch? If you keep up that diaphragm suction gently and steadily, you’ll feel the food give way and it’ll go right down.

[@XJ_Crochet]

Thank you so much for this video, it helped me relax and not be so afraid.

[@MarkCooperMD]

I'm so glad!

[@aerodicus]

Happens to me all the time, I chug water and it’s like a plugged toilet, but if I force enough in it painfully goes down. Sometimes though the water backs up to where I can’t breathe.

[@chadcollins1056]

Excellent video. The best Ive seen on this topic

[@Orangekhoi14]

This happens whenever I eat thick meat food. I try eating smaller bites, but still happens. I usually try to keep emergency water on hand ahead of the food and to follow the food after I eat it.

[@prepareahead8494]

I had a piece of steak get stuck last night even with chewing it well. It took about 3 hours of retching and drinking coke to get it up. It can’t eat anything the next day because of severe pain in my throat and stomach even though I’m just trying to get some soft food and cereal. Feel like swelling with some cramps. I’m guessing it’s going to take some time for the irritation and inflammation to go down. My stomach is sore even when I’m not eating. Can’t get into see a GI for 2 months. Already lost 25 pounds. I’m just going to eat soup.

[@frankhunt5018]

Can you please give us an update on your condition?

[@prepareahead8494]

@@frankhunt5018 I had my esophagus dilated 2 months ago and the swallowing improved. There was still erosions even after the hiatal hernia repair. They put me on Prilosec. I’m starting to have spasms and tightness again although nothing has gotten stuck. Just pain and spasms. Unfortunately I’m having lower abdominal pain and diarrhea for last 6 weeks. I had c diff after the surgery and it might be back. They never tested me for it just gave me Flaygl. I could not finish it because it upset my stomach. Just had some stool tests and am scheduled for a CT scan after Christmas. I am allergic to the iodine dye so I am not looking forward to it. Seeing a new GI specialist. I able to eat but 10 minutes into eating the lower abdominal pain starts and lasts for about a hour. I hope they find a solution to this I’m a pretty frustrated.

[@silviepaskova7311]

😢❤Oh, dear 😢How are you doing now? Are you feeling better?

[@prepareahead8494]

I had to have another dilatation done. I also had some erosions. I can swallow better now.

[@prepareahead8494]

I had a dilation done six months ago and unfortunately my symptoms have all returned. I have an appointment in a few weeks with a GI doctor. It looks like I will continue to need this done every few months for the rest of my life. The scar tissue will not stay open for long. Should I be getting steroid injections with it so I can be symptoms free longer? I seem to behaving pain in my upper throat and in the area just before it empties into the stomach. I’m worried all these dilatations will perforate my throat or my tiny stomach since I had to have most of it removed from severe gastroparesis and calcified food causing necrosis in my stomach wall 8 years ago. I’ve had diltations done for 30years because of scarring from acid reflux prior the surgery. I seem to need this done more frequently as I get older and I did have a hiatal hernia reoccur and had another repair almost a year ago. I had a very difficult time healing after a dilitation done about two years ago where the doctor was overly aggressive and caused quite a bit of bleeding. I had a very sore chest and painful swallowing for a month after and had to go to the ER after to see if it was perforated. It wasn’t but I was in a lot of pain. I get very anxious now because of that. I’ve changed GI doctors a few times now. Hopefully this one will be more careful.

[@ImmortalNB]

I'm not sure whether this is what I have, but it happens regularly, usually with corn chips and I don't usually take it to the ER. It usually occurs with the same types of food, mostly corn chips, tortillas, and strawberries for some reason. I usually get rid of it by just trying to throw a little up, then try to attempt a burping action until it clears up (hard to explain). I went to the doctor once for it (few years ago) and they just gave me some capsules/pills which I can't recall were effective. I still have no clue what it was, and it still happens but I handle it as I described. Hopefully it isn't cancer, and hopefully I don't get any tears or similar problems beyond the typical food blockage. If anyone can give me a word of advice, please do.

[@Lipripper9000]

Happened at school and my mouth filled with saliva, and I tried to hold it in, and all I'll say is I failed

[@jlctjl505]

So if i can drink water and eat food there isn't anything stuck? I swallowed a half of a cherry tomato last night and it has felt irritated ever since. I am also 8 months pregnant and have felt this sensation in the past. Just slightly irritated behind the breastbone

[@isabella635]

it sounds terrifying

[@sandrataylor9941]

It is

[@monique.thenurse55]

I ate a piece a small chocolate cake and it feels like the chocolate stuck in my throat wall and I try water warm water gargle it still feels weird every time I swallow I feel like chocolate is stuck on the wall of my esophagus .. i’ll try to eat a banana and see. If not I’ll go to the ER. Thank you for this video is very informative…

[@sanb3503]

This happens to me sometimes. If you drink a carbonated drink, usually it works.

[@johnmartin7158]

I’ve got to be careful with apples and steaks. Got to chew more carefully and in smaller cuts.

[@thejordanking5358]

Yes

[@joycemcclements9316]

Thank you.

[@alalal123421]

its been 3 hours i dont wanna goto the er dont have insurance

[@randyludwig2832]

please go to the ER

[@Mrs.Milkins23]

I have been having trouble breathing after eating for a long while. There is a wheeze and it feels similar to asthma. My doctor has said he believes it’s anxiety. B Now, I am having trouble swallowing food also.

[@EchoTunesOffical]

How Are You Are You Ok Now

[@Mrs.Milkins23]

@@EchoTunesOffical it is still happening every now and then. They believe it could be MCAS related

[@EchoTunesOffical]

@@Mrs.Milkins23 Don't Worry You Will Be Fine Soon Best Wishes!!

[@kristyhawes]

No it's most likely oesophagus problems

[@vernonholliday8632]

Today I had a turkey and cheese sandwich with lettuce,tomatoes and maynosine and honey mustard ; all of sudden i had a sensation that my food was stuck, i drank a rootbeer soda, it helped a little bit, but a lot of the sandwich came up. Was this food impaction?

[@MarkCooperMD]

Sounds like it was darn close.

[@vernonholliday8632]

​@@MarkCooperMD is it whole food or food not properly chewed? Can induce vomiting help with this?

[@johnmartin7158]

@@vernonholliday8632As I’m getting older I’m finding chewing more slowly and thoroughly with smaller doses certainly 7:38 helps. Yes I’ve also had 1 or 2 scares, lol. Especially steaks, apples, peanuts and few other foods.

[@user-if8wg5kb9z]

hello i want to ask a question i have something stuck in my throught i vomited at nothing came up i dont understand what it is and its stuck in the left side of my throut i feel it everytime i eat or anything help

[@MarkCooperMD]

This is often a globus sensation. You irritated your throat and it becomes an itch you can’t scratch. Quite likely nothing is actually wrong. Depending on your age and other factors its worth a look to exclude the uncommon and provide reassurance.

[@AdelleTagoe]

How long does it take for this to go away? I swallowed a large piece of garlic

[@SimonGhostRiley-p5i]

Please 😢 answer I have feeling of something in my right side of throat aka feeding tube part but it gets worse if I eat maybe mentally based?​@@MarkCooperMD

[@navinnaransamy494]

I have a gum boil. So I couldn't chew my food properly so i think thats what caused my food to get stuck 7:51 7:51

[@benjamesv]

If you have food stuck, then you drink some water, and it doesn't push the food down, and the water comes back up, can you choke/drown on the water? Or will your body just naturally cough out the water and you'll be okay?

[@MarkCooperMD]

You will usually protect your airway as long as you’re awake. So while very unpleasant feeling you would not drown but spit the water out.

[@benjamesv]

Thanks for the reply. Is it safer to vomit the food up, or try and push it down? I feel like vomiting the food up will be less anxiety provoking, as I had a ‘drowning’ experience where I took a huge gulp of water to push it down, but it wouldn’t go down.

[@MarkCooperMD]

@@benjamesv if symptoms are this severe you would benefit from endoscopy and dilatation. It’s important to know why it’s happening and the endoscopy can be therapeutic too!

[@sn1xq285]

I need help, I have food stuck in my throat and I tried the coke method and it doesn’t work I tried getting a big gulp of water and swallowing it but it didn’t go down what do I do now?

[@benjamesv]

@@sn1xq285 try a little bit of butter/oil. Also taking deep breaths/meditating and relaxing the whole body and not panicking helps, as when you panic it tenses up the body even more, a hot shower can help relax you. Waiting it out can help. If it’s suck for longer than 12 hours I would go to the emergency room so they can remove it as if it is stuck in there for a long time it can damage your food pipe.