Are They Choking? Esophageal Foreign Body

We delve into the management of esophageal foreign body obstructions, a common yet often misunderstood medical emergency. We discuss the symptoms and causes of esophageal food impactions, sometimes referred to as 'Steakhouse Syndrome,' and differentiate it from tracheal obstructions. We explore the protocols, potential treatments, and if there's any rationale behind treatments such as glucagon administration. Join us as we also share real-life scenarios to better illustrate the challenges and solutions when dealing with such medical cases.   Resources and links This episode was inspired by an article on EMSAirway.com- Friday Night Lights- Shift 9 Steak Night  EMScast15 - code for 15% off an awesome pair of sunglasses  Help Us By Filling Out Our Audience Survey  Medic Box - awesome medical gear shipped directly to your door  Articles- American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy- Guidelines for ingested foreign bodies   Glucagon for Relief of Acute Esophageal Foreign Bodies and Food Impactions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.   Efficacy of cola ingestion for oesophageal food bolus impaction: open label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial   Conservative management of oesophageal soft food bolus impaction   Esophageal Food Impaction: A Retrospective Chart Review Food Bolus Impaction- Question and Answer Review     Guest/Cast/Crew information- Host- Ross Orpet, Will Berry    Catch up with us after the show Instagram- @emscast Twitter- @ems_cast Website- www.emspodcast.com Want to stay ahead of the top 1% in EMS and build real confidence in the field? 👉 Book a call to get personalized guidance, improve decision-making under pressure, and grow your skills as a paramedic: emspodcast.com/free-coaching-call 📰 Join our weekly newsletter for exclusive EMS insights, leadership strategies, real-life scenarios, and tools designed to help you stay sharp, confident, and ahead of the curve: https://loudandclear.kit.com/d45b012fae       00:00 Introduction to Esophageal Foreign Bodies 00:43 Audience Survey and Sunglasses Giveaway 01:46 Interview with Contest Winner 06:11 A Choking Incident at Mile High Stadium 09:02 Discussion on Esophageal Obstructions 11:46 Life-Saving Story at Denver International Airport 13:28 A Life-Saving Outcome 14:11 The Choking Incident at the Tavern 14:57 Assessing the Patient's Condition 19:38 Understanding Esophageal Food Impaction 21:49 Treatment Options and Challenges 29:01 The Role of Endoscopy 37:45 Managing Esophageal Impactions in the Field 39:32 Final Thoughts American Burn Association / ABLS: Enter the ABLS giveaway by June 30, 2026; the winner will be selected July 1, 2026. Loud & Clear listeners also get 10% off ABLS Now through August 31, 2026. Details: https://bit.ly/aba-loud-clear