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Suggest Treatment For Difficulty Swallowing And Stomach Pain

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Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2015
Question: I have suffered from reflux for many years. Last week I have difficulty swallowing and stomach pains higher up. I have been on nexium for many years. I have lost appetite and suffered XXXXXXX minor weight lost. YYYY@YYYY
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Answered by Dr. Karen Steinberg (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
See a gastroenterology specialist, get an endoscopy

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thank you for using Healthcare Magic. Chronic reflux can cause tissue changes in the esophagus that can eventually progress to cancer. This can result in obstruction, difficulty swallowing, and pain.

Other problems with the esophagus that are not cancer can also cause difficulty swallowing and pain. Problems with motility of the smooth muscle in the esophagus can cause the same symptoms. One of these conditions is known as achalasia.

You can also get viral, fungal, and bacterial infections in the esophagus that can cause similar symptoms. Many of these conditions can result in weight loss.

What this all means is you need to have a prompt evaluation of your esophagus and stomach. Any kind of weight loss associated with such symptoms is an indication of something potentially serious going on.

The specialist I recommend is a GI specialist, also called a gastroenterologist. They can do an endoscopy to take a direct look inside your esophagus to see if there is any infection or cancer. They can also do related studies to check how well your esophagus muscles are working.

Get this looked at promptly so a diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment started. Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Karen Steinberg

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1981

Answered : 824 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Difficulty Swallowing And Stomach Pain

Brief Answer: See a gastroenterology specialist, get an endoscopy Detailed Answer: Hi, thank you for using Healthcare Magic. Chronic reflux can cause tissue changes in the esophagus that can eventually progress to cancer. This can result in obstruction, difficulty swallowing, and pain. Other problems with the esophagus that are not cancer can also cause difficulty swallowing and pain. Problems with motility of the smooth muscle in the esophagus can cause the same symptoms. One of these conditions is known as achalasia. You can also get viral, fungal, and bacterial infections in the esophagus that can cause similar symptoms. Many of these conditions can result in weight loss. What this all means is you need to have a prompt evaluation of your esophagus and stomach. Any kind of weight loss associated with such symptoms is an indication of something potentially serious going on. The specialist I recommend is a GI specialist, also called a gastroenterologist. They can do an endoscopy to take a direct look inside your esophagus to see if there is any infection or cancer. They can also do related studies to check how well your esophagus muscles are working. Get this looked at promptly so a diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment started. Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.