Can something be stuck in the esophagus without you knowing it?

Yes, something can get stuck in the esophagus without you knowing it.

The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects your throat to your stomach. When you swallow, your esophagus squeezes the food down to your stomach. Sometimes, a piece of food or another object can get stuck on its way down.

This can happen if the object is too large to fit through the esophagus, if the esophagus is narrowed or blocked by a scar or tumor, or if the person is not chewing their food well enough.

If something is stuck in your esophagus, you may have symptoms such as:

* Difficulty swallowing

* Pain in the throat or chest

* Vomiting

* Coughing

* Hoarseness

* Hiccups

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away. If the object is not removed promptly, it can cause serious problems, including infection, pneumonia, and even death.

In most cases, a doctor can remove the object with a simple procedure called an endoscopy. During this procedure, the doctor passes a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end into your esophagus. The doctor can then see the object and remove it with a special instrument.