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What Causes Chest Pressure And Swallowing Air While Eating?

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Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015
Question: Sometimes after just a few bites of food, I feel like air is trapped and it is hard to breathe. I want to burp it out but can't. I end up coughing up a lot of mucus. This happens almost every time I eat and when I drink beer. This started 6 months ago is getting progressively worse. Please advise.
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Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Food particles may be making its way erroneously into the air passages!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this difficulty you have reported. I have reviewed your symptoms and because this often happens during meals, it is highly suggestive of false routes. This happens when food particles go into the air passages and provokes the cough reflex. This persists until you cough out the foreign particle and may explain your symptoms. Am not sure this is suggestive of any gastric reflux because the symptoms do not come any close.

In all, this is suggestive of a possible false routes during swallowing. I will suggest that you get your swallowing examined by ENT specialist. This way, we will be able to confirm this suspicion and propose further management/investigation strategies.

I hope this opens another dimension to look at this. I hope it helps and let me know how you plan on working on this. Also, feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

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What Causes Chest Pressure And Swallowing Air While Eating?

Brief Answer: Food particles may be making its way erroneously into the air passages! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this difficulty you have reported. I have reviewed your symptoms and because this often happens during meals, it is highly suggestive of false routes. This happens when food particles go into the air passages and provokes the cough reflex. This persists until you cough out the foreign particle and may explain your symptoms. Am not sure this is suggestive of any gastric reflux because the symptoms do not come any close. In all, this is suggestive of a possible false routes during swallowing. I will suggest that you get your swallowing examined by ENT specialist. This way, we will be able to confirm this suspicion and propose further management/investigation strategies. I hope this opens another dimension to look at this. I hope it helps and let me know how you plan on working on this. Also, feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.