(HealthDayNews) -- If someone tells you they think something is stuck in their throat, take them seriously. Even relatively smooth or rounded objects that remain impacted in the esophagus have the potential for serious problems. And something sharp, such as a fish bone, can perforate the esophagus in only a few days, says a report published by the National Center for Emergency Medical Informatics.
According to Buttaravoli & Stair's Common Simple Emergencies:
- A pill composed of irritating medicine (e.g., tetracycline) swallowed without adequate liquid may stick to mucous in the pharynx or esophagus and cause an irritating ulcer.
- Bay leaves, invisible on x-rays and laryngoscopy, can lodge in the esophagus and produce severe symptoms until removed via rigid endoscope.
- On the other hand, the sensation of a lump in the throat, unrelated to swallowing food or drink, may be globus hystericus, which could be related to anxiety.
