Comments on: Food Stuck in Throat and Esophagus (Chest, Food Pipe)

By: HealthHype

HealthHype — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 00:05:00 +0000

In reply to Sandman Illinois. Thank you for your suggestion. We will refer it to our editor.

By: Sandman Illinois

Sandman Illinois — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 02:33:00 +0000

Please include a link to a discussion of what to DO in the case of food inhaled (accidentally) into the windpipe.
This article appears to have the correct title for that issue as well, but does not discuss.
We have a problem right now with someone who coughed involuntarily while eating, and inhaled what is most likely a small partially chewed piece of corn. Now, after 2 days, still lodged somewhere in chest, causing wheezing and mucous as well as ongoing coughing.

By: HealthHype

HealthHype — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 20:20:00 +0000

In reply to Elle.

Hi Elle. Yes, it is not entirely involuntary. We have included this extract for your reference from Guyton’s Textbook of Medical Physiology, 11e, p783 ( the 11th edition is all that we had access to at this time): “In summary, the pharyngeal stage of swallowing is principally a reflex act. It is almost always initiated by voluntary movement of food into the back of the mouth, which in turn excites involuntary pharyngeal sensory receptors to elicit the swallowing reflex.”

However, it is important to understand that we have to explain this information to readers who may not always understand the medical terms and concepts as is. If we pick on these finer points of physiology it can be confusing. Our website is geared towards the average reader who does not have a medical or health science background.

As for it not being part of peristalsis I think it is important to understand that the peristaltic waves that are initiated during swallowing continue to propel the bolus all the way into the stomach. Intestinal peristalsis may be seen further down but this does not mean that the movement initiated by swallowing is not part of peristalsis.

Yes you are correct that certain exercises and techniques can help certain patients like in stroke rehabilitation but this does not change the physiology. However, we may stand to be corrected. Thank you for your input.

By: Elle

Elle — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 22:12:00 +0000

The pharyngeal phase of the swallow is not involuntary and is not controlled by peristalsis. The function of these muscles can be improved with pharyngeal exercises and techniques taught to the patient by a certified and licensed speech language pathologist in order to reduce the risk of aspiration into the lungs.