Differential Diagnosis for Food Getting Stuck in the Throat
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Dysphagia due to esophageal stricture or narrowing: This is a common cause of food getting stuck in the throat, often resulting from chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagitis, or other conditions that lead to esophageal scarring and narrowing.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Esophageal spasm: Abnormal muscle contractions in the esophagus can cause food to become stuck.
- Schatzki ring: A narrow ring of tissue at the lower end of the esophagus can catch food, especially if it is not chewed well.
- Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus, often due to acid reflux, can cause discomfort and difficulty swallowing, leading to food getting stuck.
- Oropharyngeal dysphagia: Difficulty initiating swallowing due to problems with the muscles or nerves in the throat.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Esophageal cancer: Although less common, it is crucial to rule out cancer as a cause of dysphagia, as early detection significantly improves prognosis.
- Foreign body obstruction: Especially in children, but also in adults, an object lodged in the throat can cause severe symptoms and requires immediate attention.
- Acute epiglottitis: Inflammation of the epiglottis can lead to severe respiratory distress and is a medical emergency.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Eosinophilic esophagitis: A chronic immune system disease in which a type of white blood cell, the eosinophil, builds up in the esophagus in response to an allergen or irritant, leading to difficulty swallowing.
- Achalasia: A rare disorder of the esophagus that makes swallowing difficult, caused by abnormal muscle contractions.
- Zenker's diverticulum: A condition where a pouch forms in the pharynx, which can trap food and cause dysphagia.