When the lower esophageal muscle (sphincter) doesn’t relax properly to let food enter the stomach, it can cause food to come back up into the throat. Muscles in the wall of the esophagus might be weak as well, a condition that tends to worsen over time. Diffuse spasm.

Once food has entered the esophagus, it doesn’t just drop right into your stomach. Instead, muscles in the walls of the esophagus move in a wavy way to slowly squeeze the food through the esophagus. This takes about 2 or 3 seconds.

When you have GERD (chronic acid reflux) your stomach acid persistently flows back up into your mouth through your esophagus. You may experience heartburn, acid indigestion, trouble swallowing, feeling of food caught in your throat and other problems.

Food blockages in the esophagus are generally not a major medical emergency. However, food blockages in the windpipe can lead to choking. People who are choking require emergency treatment.

Peristalsis squeezes your esophageal muscles from top to bottom. This pushes food and liquid along. If you could see peristalsis, it would look like a wave passing down your esophagus. To keep food and liquids moving in the right direction, your digestive tract has special muscles along its course called sphincters.

Ways to remove food stuck in throat

1. The ‘Coca-Cola’ trick. Research suggests that drinking a can of Coke, or another carbonated beverage, can help dislodge food stuck in the esophagus.
2. Simethicone.
3. Water.
4. A moist piece of food.
5. Alka-Seltzer or baking soda.
6. Butter.
7. Wait it out.

Many patients need more than one dilation over time to keep the esophagus wide enough for food to pass through. In rare cases, severe and untreated esophageal strictures can cause perforations (small rips), which can be life-threatening.

When the acids in your stomach back up into the esophagus, it irritates the lining, which can cause a burning sensation in the throat and neck, coughing or a feeling that something is stuck behind your breastbone. You might even notice that eating certain things, like fried or fatty food, makes your symptoms worse.

What are the Symptoms of Esophageal Blockage?

1. Pain While Swallowing.
2. Pain in Your Upper Chest.
3. Hoarseness.
4. Feeling Like there is Food Stuck in Your Throat.
5. Coughing or Choking When Swallowing.
6. Unexplained Weight Loss.
7. Vomiting or Regurgitating.
8. Frequent Heartburn.

Common signs and symptoms of esophagitis include: Difficult swallowing. Painful swallowing. Chest pain, particularly behind the breastbone, that occurs with eating.

The food or remnants of food are stuck in the throat or esophagus either by getting trapped in crevices or pouches or by tumors and narrowing in the gut. The swallowing process is dysfunctional for some reason therefore the movement of food may be interrupted at some point.

A few big sips of water may help you wash down the food stuck in your esophagus. Normally, your saliva provides enough lubrication to help food slide easily down the esophagus. If your food wasn’t chewed properly, it may be too dry.

How To Dislodge Food Stuck In Esophagus Perform Heimlich maneuvers. If food is stuck makes your breathing difficulties, then you can do a Heimlich maneuver to put out the food in the esophagus. Drinking water. Saliva serves as a food lubricant to facilitate the passing of food in the esophagus. Drink soft drinks. Let it dissolve naturally. Other ways: Add a little salt to warm water.

See your doctor: Food always getting stuck in the esophagus can be caused by narrowing of the esophagus (scarring, tumor, congenital, etc) or from diminished saliva production.