Esophageal stricture - benign: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services if:

   • You are choking or having trouble breathing
   • You cannot swallow your saliva and are drooling
   • You develop severe chest, neck, or upper abdominal pain
   • You vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek urgent medical care if food remains stuck and will not pass, even if you can still breathe.

   Do not try to push it down by swallowing more food.

   After an endoscopy or dilation, get urgent help for severe or increasing chest pain, breathing difficulty, fever, repeated vomiting, or vomiting blood.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange a timely medical appointment for new difficulty swallowing, particularly if symptoms are worsening, swallowing is painful, or you are losing weight without trying.

   Mild throat discomfort can occur, but severe or worsening symptoms are not routine.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Esophageal stricture - benign. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.