Should I go to the emergency room (ER) if food gets stuck in my throat and then goes away?

Food Stuck in Throat: When to Seek Emergency Care

If food gets stuck in your throat and then goes away on its own, you do not need to go to the emergency room, but you should schedule a follow-up with a gastroenterologist to investigate for underlying conditions like eosinophilic esophagitis. 1, 2

Understanding Food Impaction vs. Transient Food Sticking

• Food impaction is defined as food matter retained in the esophagus requiring emergency physician visit or endoscopic intervention, while self-limited food retention or transient dysphagia that resolves on its own is not considered true food impaction 1
• Transient food sticking that resolves spontaneously is common and typically doesn't require emergency intervention, but may indicate an underlying esophageal disorder 1, 2

When to Seek Emergency Care

• Go to the emergency room immediately if:

  • Food remains stuck and doesn't pass after attempts to drink fluids 1, 2
  • You experience difficulty breathing or swallowing saliva 2
  • You have severe chest pain or pain radiating to the back 2
  • You're unable to swallow liquids 1
  • You're drooling excessively 2

• Do not go to the emergency room if:

  • The food has already passed and symptoms have completely resolved 1
  • You can breathe normally and swallow liquids without difficulty 2

Underlying Causes to Consider

• Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is the most common cause of food bolus obstruction, found in up to 46% of patients presenting with this symptom 1, 3
• Other common underlying conditions include:
  • Esophageal strictures (found in 24-45% of cases) 3, 4
  • Hiatal hernia (22% of cases) 3
  • Schatzki rings or peptic strictures (78% in some studies) 5
  • Esophageal tumors (2-3.8% of cases) 3, 4

Follow-up Recommendations

• Even if food passes spontaneously, schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist for evaluation, especially if this has happened more than once 1, 2
• Recurrent episodes of food sticking (even if they resolve) warrant investigation, as they may indicate an underlying condition like eosinophilic esophagitis 1
• Patients with eosinophilic esophagitis have a significantly higher risk of recurrent food impaction (50% vs 15% in other conditions) 3

What Happens at the Hospital for True Food Impaction

• For complete esophageal obstruction, emergent flexible endoscopy (within 2-6 hours) is recommended 2
• For partial obstruction, urgent endoscopy within 24 hours is typically performed 2
• During endoscopy, biopsies should be taken to diagnose underlying conditions like eosinophilic esophagitis 1, 2
• Endoscopic removal of impacted food is successful in 98% of cases during the first attempt 3

Prevention for Those with Recurrent Episodes

• If you've experienced food sticking multiple times, even transiently:
  • Chew food thoroughly before swallowing 2
  • Take smaller bites and eat slowly 2
  • Avoid eating meat in large pieces, particularly steak, which is the most common culprit (68-85% of cases) 5, 3
  • Stay well-hydrated while eating 2

Caution

• Do not attempt home remedies like fizzy drinks or other substances if food is truly impacted, as these have limited evidence and may delay proper treatment 1, 2
• The risk of complications from untreated complete food impaction includes esophageal perforation, which can be life-threatening 1, 4