Esophageal Blockage: Signs, Causes & Treatment

What causes blockage in esophagus?

Chunks of food or foreign can create an esophageal blockage. Stuck food in your esophagus is sometimes called “Steakhouse Syndrome,” since these blockages happen more often with solid food. Your esophagus is likely blocked if you experience chest pain, drooling, trouble swallowing, or feel like you're gagging, choking, or coughing.

Why do I feel like something is stuck in my esophagus?

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. Dysphagia is also caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), where stomach contents re-enter and irritate your esophagus.

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.

How is an esophageal obstruction treated?

A doctor might inject glucagon. Glucagon is a drug that helps relax muscles in your digestive system, like the muscles in your esophagus. This injection might clear up the blockage.

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.

What helps food go down the esophagus?

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. If you don’t have soda or seltzer water on hand, regular water might do the trick, too.