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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough And Flu
Question: my dad just turned ninety three and up until three weeks ago has been in good health. It started with the flu then a nasty cough. Went to urgent care they said he had Bronchitis and since then has recovered, however he has difficulty swallowing with drinking and eating. His primary Doctor had him undergo a Endoscopy procedure however the results came up negative, no obstructions were found. My father is still not eating due to the fact he continues to have difficulty swallowing. He says when he eats or drinks the food feels like its coming back up and continuous belching occurs. He states if he doesn't belch his unable to breath. This has been going on four weeks and he is losing considerable weight lose. Been in and out of ER several times. Blood work good and chest x-rays negative. Frustrated with medical system with no real diagnoses. Please advise.
Brief Answer:
Dysphagia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HealthcareMagic,
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Since endoscopy resulted negative, neurological disorders should be considered as possible causes of your father's inability to swallow (dysphagia) properly.
Since symptoms started suddenly and after an infection , stroke, upper spinal cord damage ( transverse myelitis), post infection demyelinating disorder ( acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis), should be considered and evaluated further by a Neurologist and imaging such MRI of brain and spinal cord.
One more thing, if endoscopy was done only on the pharynx, a gastroesophageal endoscopy is necessary too, to evaluate conditions such hiatal hernia etc.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask if you have further questions.
Kind regards.
Dysphagia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HealthcareMagic,
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Since endoscopy resulted negative, neurological disorders should be considered as possible causes of your father's inability to swallow (dysphagia) properly.
Since symptoms started suddenly and after an infection , stroke, upper spinal cord damage ( transverse myelitis), post infection demyelinating disorder ( acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis), should be considered and evaluated further by a Neurologist and imaging such MRI of brain and spinal cord.
One more thing, if endoscopy was done only on the pharynx, a gastroesophageal endoscopy is necessary too, to evaluate conditions such hiatal hernia etc.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask if you have further questions.
Kind regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
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