What to do for an adult with a foreign body (stuck popcorn) in the throat causing discomfort without affecting deglutition (swallowing)?

Management of Stuck Popcorn in the Throat

For an adult with stuck popcorn causing throat discomfort without affecting swallowing, the first step should be to encourage the person to cough as this is a normal physiological response that may be effective in dislodging the foreign body and is unlikely to cause harm. 1

Initial Assessment and Management

• Assess for warning signs that require immediate medical attention: significant respiratory distress, inability to swallow saliva, hemoptysis, or systemic symptoms 1
• If the person can breathe, talk, and swallow normally, the situation is likely not immediately life-threatening 1
• Encourage voluntary coughing as the initial response, which is often effective and carries minimal risk 1
• Drinking small sips of water may help wash down minor food particles that are causing discomfort 2

Specific Interventions

For mild cases where the person is not in distress:

• Try drinking ice-cold carbonated water in small sips, which may help dislodge the stuck food particle and break the cycle of throat irritation 2
• Eating soft bread or banana may help push down the stuck popcorn kernel 1
• Avoid blind finger sweeps as they may push the object further down or cause injury to the nasopharynx 1

When to Seek Medical Attention

Medical evaluation is necessary if:

• The sensation of something stuck persists for more than a few hours despite home remedies 1
• There is suspicion of a foreign body inhalation (rather than just lodged in the throat) 1
• The person develops difficulty breathing, increased drooling, or inability to swallow 1
• There is hemoptysis (coughing up blood) 1

Medical Interventions

If medical attention is sought:

• Bronchoscopy should be undertaken if inhalation of the foreign body is suspected 1
• For visible foreign bodies in the mouth, manual removal is appropriate 1
• For non-visible foreign bodies, healthcare providers may use Magill forceps or other specialized instruments 1
• Chest radiographs and CT scans may be necessary to locate the foreign body if it cannot be visualized directly 1, 3

Cautions and Considerations

• Avoid abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) unless the person cannot breathe, talk, or cough effectively, as these maneuvers carry risk of injury 1
• Back slaps and chest thrusts should only be used in severe cases of airway obstruction, not for minor discomfort 1
• If the sensation persists despite the ability to swallow normally, the discomfort may be due to minor trauma to the throat mucosa rather than an actual stuck object 4, 2

Follow-up Care

• If throat discomfort persists after the foreign body sensation has resolved, simple throat lozenges or warm salt water gargles may provide relief 2
• Be aware that the sensation of something stuck in the throat may persist even after the actual foreign body is gone due to mucosal irritation 4, 2
• If symptoms persist beyond 1-2 days, medical evaluation is recommended to rule out complications 1