Get Virtual Care
For Businesses
About Us
A member asked:
I just took one of my lortabs and i think it's stuck in my throat can this cut my breathing off? i can still talk swallow and all it just feels stuck when i swallowed it i felt it touched my throat
5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
No: Swallowing and breathing use different pathways. The esophagus is for swallowing, the trachea is for breathing. You can't do both at the same time. If a pill somehow got into your trachea (airway), you would choke and cough violently. Often a pill can scratch the throat and make it feel like there is something still there. If you are drinking, the pill is gone. The feeling will resolve in a day.
Answered 1/3/2016
3.1k views
Dangerous: It is unlikely to affect breathing in any way. If a pill remains in the esophagus, it can cause a significant amount of irritation/erosion. Conversely, having a pill stuck in the esophagus only briefly, before migrating to the stomach, can cause a residual feeling that it is still stuck. Drink plenty of water and trust your instincts as to whether you should have an urgent examination.
Answered 2/11/2017
3.1k views
Related Questions
A member asked:
It feels sore painful at base of throat under adams apple if i had one. Very sore to swallow and talk feels bruised as if i've been punched in throat?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
Throat hurts on one side when talking+swallowing. also when touching the neck on that side it hurts. possible causes ? Remedies? Should I see doctor?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
Sore throat, runny noise, trouble swallowing and sometimes trouble breathing. Neck hurts when touched on right and pain when turn towards left. Help?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
People also searched for:
A four year old with runny nose, high temp that is sporactic, bottom of throat hurts to talk or swallow. Deep cough.Raspy sounds breathing chest clear?
I swallow a piece of plastic from a pen top , it feels like its still in my throat but im breathing good n its no pain , should i be worried ?
I had spaghetti&5 citrus beers for dinner. It's been 5 hours, still vomiting. After the third vomit episode, felt like something is in my throat. I am breathing fine but its painful to swallow. Puked more but it still feels like something is in there?
My throat hurts really bad. Hurts when I talk and swallow and even when I don't, I have had one on and off since the 10th of this month. Could it be?
I got allergy meds and Mucinex (guaifenesin) but my throat is still as painful as it was three days ago. But breathing and swallowing hurt. Help please?
Didn't find what you're looking for?
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.
Ask your questionMore of what we treat
Download HealthTap
Video visit and message your doctor
