From the Guidelines
If solid food gets stuck in the chest causing dysphagia, you should first try drinking warm liquids to help dissolve and move the food, and if this doesn't work, seek immediate medical attention, especially if you're experiencing severe pain, inability to swallow saliva, or difficulty breathing. When solid foods get stuck in the chest area, it is crucial to address the issue promptly to prevent complications such as aspiration, choking, or esophageal injury. The first step is to try and dislodge the food by drinking warm liquids, which can help dissolve and move the food down the esophagus.
Importance of Medical Attention
If the food does not move and symptoms persist or worsen, seeking immediate medical attention is vital. Healthcare providers may perform an endoscopy to visually examine the esophagus and remove the obstruction if necessary. This procedure is crucial for diagnosing the cause of dysphagia and for removing any food that is stuck, as noted in studies focusing on the management of dysphagia 1.
Preventive Measures
For prevention, it is recommended to eat slowly, take small bites, chew thoroughly, and avoid talking while eating. People with known swallowing difficulties should modify their diet to softer foods, thickened liquids, or pureed options as recommended by their healthcare provider. These modifications can significantly reduce the risk of food getting stuck and alleviate symptoms of dysphagia.
Underlying Causes
Recurring episodes of food getting stuck in the chest area warrant a medical evaluation to identify underlying causes such as esophageal strictures, eosinophilic esophagitis, or motility disorders. These conditions may require specific treatments like esophageal dilation, medications, or swallowing therapy. Early identification and management of these conditions can improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with dysphagia, as highlighted in guidelines for the management of oral-pharyngeal dysphagia 1.
Swallowing Exercises and Therapy
Swallowing exercises and therapy can also be beneficial for patients with dysphagia. Techniques such as the Shaker exercise, which involves sustained and repetitive head lifts to strengthen the cervical musculature, have shown promise in improving swallow function and reducing aspiration 1. Additionally, electrical stimulation of the submandibular and hyolaryngeal muscles during swallow has been explored as a new approach to treatment for patients with severe dysphagia, though further studies are needed to fully understand its efficacy.
In summary, when solid foods get stuck in the chest area, immediate action is required to prevent serious complications, and a comprehensive approach including medical evaluation, potential endoscopy, dietary modifications, and swallowing therapy can be crucial in managing dysphagia and improving patient outcomes.
From the Research
Symptoms and Causes
- When solid foods get stuck in the chest area, it can cause dysphagia, a swallowing disorder that may be due to various neurological, structural, and cognitive deficits 2.
- The symptom of food 'sticking' during swallowing has been reported to range from 5 to 50%, depending on the assessment setting, and is often associated with esophageal irregularities 3.
- Esophageal food impaction (EFI) is a common non-biliary emergency in gastroenterology, with an annual incidence rate of 13 episodes per 100,000 person-years and 1,500 deaths per year 4.
Diagnosis and Assessment
- A bedside examination, sometimes followed by a video-fluoroscopic study, is used to evaluate patients with dysphagia 2.
- Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies can help identify the explanatory cause of the symptom, with a prevalence of explanatory findings of 76% 3.
- A modified clinical evaluation is recommended for assessing swallowing in patients with dysphagia, and instrumental assessments should only be performed when essential and with appropriate personal protective equipment 5.
Treatment and Management
- Endoscopy is a safe and effective therapeutic intervention for EFI, with a success rate of 94.8% as a first attempt 4.
- Compensatory strategies, including bolus modification, maneuvers/postural changes, and therapeutic exercises, are recommended for managing dysphagia 5.
- Speech-language pathologists play a crucial role in the assessment and management of patients with dysphagia, and rehabilitation efforts can lead to significant improvement in the swallowing disorder 2.