HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Breathing Difficulty And Feeling Of Food Stuck In Chest . Should I Be Worried?

default
Posted on Fri, 13 Jul 2012
Question: I swallowed a chicken bone, maybe an inch long? It doesn't hurt but i can feel something almost stuck in my chest, breathing feels a little uncomfortable. should I worry?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)
Hello and thanks for the query.
It is rare for a small chicken bone to go in lungs in adults.
Had it happened,you would have developed choking,continuous cough and breathing difficulties.

First of all, realize that a small chicken bone, when swallowed, can scratch the inside of your throat and make it FEEL as if there is still something there when there is not. If you did swallow it then it is nothing to worry about. 

However If you are having any difficulty breathing or swallowing or if the pain becomes worse then you need to go to the ER.

If you are just suffering from a slight discomfort then there is no harm in waiting on this one. If you have persistent sensation that something is 'in there' then tomorrow you can go.

Certainly in next couple of days if this is merely a scratch then it will be mostly better. If there is really a small piece of bone there it will not feel any better. 
I hope to have answered your query however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck.
Thanks
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 6704 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Breathing Difficulty And Feeling Of Food Stuck In Chest . Should I Be Worried?

Hello and thanks for the query.
It is rare for a small chicken bone to go in lungs in adults.
Had it happened,you would have developed choking,continuous cough and breathing difficulties.

First of all, realize that a small chicken bone, when swallowed, can scratch the inside of your throat and make it FEEL as if there is still something there when there is not. If you did swallow it then it is nothing to worry about. 

However If you are having any difficulty breathing or swallowing or if the pain becomes worse then you need to go to the ER.

If you are just suffering from a slight discomfort then there is no harm in waiting on this one. If you have persistent sensation that something is 'in there' then tomorrow you can go.

Certainly in next couple of days if this is merely a scratch then it will be mostly better. If there is really a small piece of bone there it will not feel any better. 
I hope to have answered your query however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck.
Thanks