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What Causes Feeling Of Food Stuck In Throat And Severe Heart Burn?

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Posted on Mon, 20 Jul 2015
Question: 4 months ago I had a endoscope done and my esphagus was dilated because I was feeling like food was getting stuck. My scope came back normal and my esphagus looked good but my doctor did not do a biopsy. Now 4 months later I have the feeling of food getting stuck again and i feel everything going down my throat. Could this be something serious? I'm now off my PPi because I was doing better and I had side effects on it that I didn't like. My research leads to either EoE or esphageal cancer. Which I'm getting really anxious about.

My heartburn has seemed bad lately because there has been so much stress in my life.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please follow explanations below..

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.

1. You are saying that you have the feeling of food getting stuck in the throat and dilated esophagus.

The upper scope resulted normal with no presence of dilated esophagus.

I am wondering this is only your feeling as long as no organic changes are notable.

2. With regards to esophagus cancer, it cannot be set in such short period (only 4 months after your last scope which was normal ).

3. Usually Eo-esophagitis is associated with endoscopic findings like inflammation of esophageal mucosa and does not respond to PPI-s treatment.Biopsy of inflamed tissue will confirm diagnosis.Corticosteroids are used in such cases.

4. At this point, taking into account your actual symptoms, I advise to take small doses of PPI-s. If you will face still problems, continue with ranitidine at bedtime as you're doing do far.

Furthermore, being stressed is also giving the feeling of suffocating or food getting stuck. Controlling stress can improve your health issues.

Wishing you all the best.
DR.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (15 hours later)
Thank you for your response, my other concern is why am I having trouble with food getting stuck/ chest pain if I had my esophagus stretched already and only 4 months ago. That's my main concern.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please follow ...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back

With regards to chest pain and getting stuck at your esophagus it may be related with GERD (acid reflux).

Often duration of treatment with PPI at GERD has no limited time. So after you have stopped PPI use your symptoms has been aggravated. This is why you should start again the treatment as I recommended above.
This is why I suggest starting PPI use and changing your lifestyle like:
-avoid coffee, sipcy, chilly foods
-use two pillows when you lay down
-don’t lay down after you eat

Hope it was helpful to you
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (5 hours later)
Thank you so much for your replies. About three weeks ago I swallowed a really hot potatoe fresh out of the oven and I felt it burn really bad deep in my chest. Do you think that plus drinking coffee, wine and acid reflux has irritated my esophagus and that's why I'm having these issues?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Eating a really hot food (hot potatoes fresh out of the oven) may damage esophageal mucosa. Moreover the hot drinks and acid reflux doesn't let the esophageal mucosa to be healed causing your symptoms.

This is why i strongly suggest following my advices above with lifestyle changes and treatment and everything will be back normal again.

Wish you health!
Dr. Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (4 hours later)
Thank you for your response, I guess I'm confused as to why my esophagus is so sensitive now ever since my reflux started. When I was pregnant with all three of my children I would vomit all day everyday for three months straight and I never had issues with my esophagus. Why is it so sensitive now? Could it all be from anxiety? The food getting stuck feeling?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Stress aggravate teh symptoms of acid reflux..

Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear and let me explain again :

1. The sensitivity of esophagus is due to passage of acid liquid of the stomach to the esophagus. During this passage, it will damage the mucosa, thus making it more sensitive.
2. With regards to stress it aggravate acid reflux and his symptoms. This why I recommend to my patients with GERD to avoid unnecessary stress.

3.The feeling of getting stuck the food may be related with acid reflux but is aggravated from stress.

Wishing you all the best.
Dr.klerida
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2266 Questions

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What Causes Feeling Of Food Stuck In Throat And Severe Heart Burn?

Brief Answer: Please follow explanations below.. Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns. 1. You are saying that you have the feeling of food getting stuck in the throat and dilated esophagus. The upper scope resulted normal with no presence of dilated esophagus. I am wondering this is only your feeling as long as no organic changes are notable. 2. With regards to esophagus cancer, it cannot be set in such short period (only 4 months after your last scope which was normal ). 3. Usually Eo-esophagitis is associated with endoscopic findings like inflammation of esophageal mucosa and does not respond to PPI-s treatment.Biopsy of inflamed tissue will confirm diagnosis.Corticosteroids are used in such cases. 4. At this point, taking into account your actual symptoms, I advise to take small doses of PPI-s. If you will face still problems, continue with ranitidine at bedtime as you're doing do far. Furthermore, being stressed is also giving the feeling of suffocating or food getting stuck. Controlling stress can improve your health issues. Wishing you all the best. DR.Klerida