Have you ever felt bread or steak get stuck halfway down your throat/chest as you try to swallow it? This discomfort lasts for a few seconds until it passes down, and you can take the next bite.
Referred to as “steakhouse syndrome”, this feeling is linked to a condition called the Schatzki ring, a ring of tissues around the lower end of the food pipe that can turn swallowing into a struggle during mealtime.
Let’s delve deeper into the causes, types, symptoms, and treatments of Schatzki rings and discover how to facilitate smooth food passage.
What is a Schatzki Ring?
A Schatzki ring is a thin, circular band of mucosal tissue around the lower end of the oesophagus (food pipe), right above where it meets the stomach.
It does not pose any issues and mostly stays unnoticed; however, when you try to swallow dry, big chunks of food, its narrowing can make swallowing difficult. It can feel like food is stuck midway down the food pipe for a few seconds before passing really slowly.
What Causes Schatzki Ring?
The exact cause of Schatzki ring isn’t fully understood, but there are several factors that can cause it to act up:
- Chronic acid reflux: Long-term acid reflux may lead to scarring or tissue changes in the lower oesophagus, making swallowing difficult.
- Hiatal hernia: Many patients with this issue also have hiatal hernias, in which part of the stomach protrudes into the chest cavity.
- Congenital development: Some people are simply born with a Schatzki ring.
Schatzki Ring Types
Doctors typically classify oesophageal ring types into two main categories:
- A ring (muscular): Found higher in the lower oesophagus, composed of muscle, and usually asymptomatic.
- B rings (mucosal): Also known as the Schatzki ring types, these are made of mucosal tissue and are the ones most often associated with swallowing problems.
It’s the B ring, sitting just above the junction with the stomach, that gives people the food “sticking” sensation.
Lower Esophageal Ring Symptoms
Many people with this ring are unaware of its presence until they attempt to swallow a large bite of food and it becomes stuck. When symptoms do occur, the most common lower esophageal ring symptoms, as per NCBI, include:
- Difficulty swallowing solid food (especially bread, meat, or rice).
- Food suddenly feels “stuck” in the chest.
- Occasional chest discomfort during swallowing.
- Rarely, regurgitation of food occurs if it can’t pass the narrowed area.
These symptoms only apply to solid foods. Water or other liquids/soups do not feel stuck and pass without issues.
Schatzki’s Ring Treatment
If the discomfort is too much and happens too frequently, you should seek relief with Schatzki’s ring treatment options, listed below:
- Endoscopic dilation: It is the most common approach and uses a balloon or dilator to gently stretch the narrowed ring, providing immediate relief.
- Incise or disrupt the ring: Sometimes the doctor suggests it’s best to cut the ring through endoscopic instruments for better relief and to avoid persistent issues.
- Treating acid reflux: Since reflux may contribute, acid-suppressing medications (like PPIs) are often prescribed.
- Surgery (rare): If dilation and medical therapy don’t work, surgical options may be considered, though this is uncommon.
- Schatzki ring medication: There is no medication specifically for this ring itself, but proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to treat the associated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as per NCBI.
Living with a Schatzki Ring
For many, living with this issue simply means making minor adjustments to make swallowing easy, such as:
- Chew food thoroughly.
- Take smaller bites.
- Drink water with meals.
- Treat reflux promptly if present.
Since Schatzki rings don’t typically increase the risk of cancer, the main concern is quality of life and preventing dangerous choking episodes.
Read More: What Is the Role of Acid in Our Stomach? It’s More Than Just Digestion
To Sum Up
Although it can feel uncomfortable to feel food “stuck,” this swallowing issue is a manageable condition once it is identified. With simple endoscopic treatments, reflux control, and mindful eating habits, most people live comfortably without major restrictions.
If you’ve had repeated episodes of food getting lodged, it’s worth seeing a gastroenterologist; sometimes, even the smallest ring can make the biggest difference at mealtime.
