What to do for the stuck-up sensation in the esophagus after swallowing a capsule?

Question

Hello doctor,

I swallowed a ginger nausea capsule earlier today before six hours. It felt like it got stuck in my esophagus. I have drunk about two liters of water, fizzy water, and juice. I have also eaten three pieces of moist bread. I still have a globus sensation in my throat (as if the pill is still stuck in my esophagus). This has been going on for six hours. It was sudden onset after swallowing the pill. Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Please do not worry. I can understand your concern and will try to help you out. As you said, you have swallowed a capsule; usual capsules are made of gelatin coating, which is absorbable. So there is a very less chance that it could have stayed back in your pharynx or esophagus, and if there is a foreign body in the patient's pharynx or esophagus, there will be certain symptoms like excessive salivation, difficulty or painful swallowing, regurgitation, or vomiting. But in your case, you were able to drink lots of water and had some bread also. So I do not think there would be any foreign body left in your pharynx or esophagus. In 90 % of the patients with foreign body sensation, usually what would have happened is a foreign body would have stuck, and as the person forcibly tries to swallow water or something, the foreign body would have passed down by making a small wound in the pharynx or esophagus. This is the usual cause of globus sensation. I would suggest 10 ml of syrup Mucaine (Oxetacaine) gel in the morning and night. Have soft foods which are not too hot and bananas. These should take care of your symptoms and if symptoms still persist for more than three to four days, visit your ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. So do not worry and do contact me if you have any other queries. I hope so I could help you. Thanks.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I suggest soft foods for the next couple of days. This would definitely help your wound to heal, and do not consume hot beverages or alcohol for a couple of days. You also pointed out that you have a reflux condition, so along with Gaviscon (Sodium alginate, Calcium carbonate, and Sodium bicarbonate), I suggest tablet Pantoprazole 40 mg once daily in the morning on an empty stomach. This will help in the healing of the wound for sure.