Over the years I've had problems with raw carrots getting lodged in my throat. The piece of carrot usually dislodges itself after several hours, but recently a piece was stuck for so long the linings of my mouth swelled up and turned bright red. After about nine hours it passed
on its own and I was left with blood blisters in my mouth where the flesh had rubbed against my teeth, and bright red corrugated areas which returned to normal over the course of the day.
I have stopped eating raw carrots, but now the same thing has happened after eating a dinner of cooked carrots and chicken casserole.
I'm in my 50s with no allergies, weight or health problems and take no medication or supplements. Is there cause for concern?
- J.
If it happens again, head to the emergency department. We have medications that help food impactions pass and access to endoscopists who can physically remove the obstruction.
Chances are you have an esophageal ring, a narrowing of the normally tube-like esophagus. It occurs in around 5 per cent of all adults. The vast majority have no symptoms, but for some the ring traps food, especially firm, dry food, causing throat or chest pain. These people are usually over 50 and have had symptoms for months to years.
They are diagnosed using a "barium swallow" study (an X-ray that shows a clear outline of your pharynx and esophagus), and often are easily and permanently treated with esophageal dilation under anaesthesia, whereby a surgeon passes larger and larger rods down the esophagus.
But first see your GP, because there are other problems which must first be ruled out.
Gary Payinda MD is an emergency medicine consultant in Whangarei.
Have a science, health topic or question you'd like addressed? Email: drpayinda@gmail.com
(This column provides general information and is not a substitute for the medical advice of your personal doctor.)
