Glucagon, a peptide hormone produced by the pancreas, plays a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels. It achieves this by stimulating the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose, releasing it into the bloodstream. Its utility extends beyond glucose regulation and has found application in scenarios involving esophageal obstruction caused by impacted food. This approach leverages the hormone’s ability to relax smooth muscle tissue, including that found in the lower esophageal sphincter.
The utilization of this hormone in instances of bolus obstruction offers a less invasive alternative to endoscopic intervention. Its administration can potentially facilitate the passage of the impacted food, thereby alleviating patient discomfort and averting more aggressive medical procedures. This application has emerged as a valuable tool in emergency medicine, particularly in situations where immediate endoscopic services are unavailable or contraindicated, offering a relatively safe and efficient means of addressing the obstruction.
