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What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing?

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Posted on Fri, 30 Sep 2016
Question: Feeling difficulty in swallowing. No pain in throat..but could not swallow

I am unable to swallow solid foods. Feels like i get choked. But able to take liquid foods with ease. This occurs for past 1 week.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vasudha (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Expert advise & personal care would help to cure.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thank you for the query from Health care magic platform, I have read your query & understand your concern.
* A number of conditions can cause difficulty in swallowing, but looking at your age & duration & type of complaint( absent pain.. so no infection or inflammation), I would think of following causes in your case- which obstruct solid food swallowing The basic cause can be in -
1. - Throat -
-Dry throat due to over exhaustion/ severe weakness- anemia
- Neurological cause-The throat muscles are weakened because some injury to spine or cervical spondylitis causing pressure on nerves supplying the throat muscles & cause difficulty in swallowing.
- Pharyngeal diverticula where a pouch is formed in throat , where food collects to obstruct swallowing.
2. esophageal cause-
- Foreign body stuck to esophagus,
- Irritation/ swelling/stricture of esophagus due to GERD where acid regurgitates in esophagus & cause spasm or scar or narrowing of lower part of esophagus,
- Food allergies can cause spasm of esophagus to cause the problem
- Thyroid swelling pressing on esophagus
* In this context, I would advise you to consult a gastroenterologist for detailed evaluation of your health followed by investigations like cbc/ Xray with contrast(barium)/endoscopy to pin point the cause. CT scan or MRI of cervical spine may be needed in case of neurological problem& thyroid function test in case of goiter. Having found the cause... specific treatment would be offered.He may refer you to neurologist for further management.
* treatment would involve specific treatment of cause. It may include
- Medicines for GERD to reduce gastric acidity / anti allergic medicines or steroids for food allergies.
- Esophageal dilatation/ removal of foreign body/treatment of pharyngeal diverticula.
- Exercises to re stimulate the nerve for swallowing reflex/ to co ordinate swallowing ( in case of neurological cause)
* self help-
- Changing eating habits ( take all nutrients in liquid/ paste form till you recover )& avoid mal nutrition & weakness.
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco,caffeine
- Avoid hot or spicy food/ allergic food
- Take medications for full course
- Be stress free & positive.
Thus with with expert advise to get rid of the cause & personal care you would be free of the disgusting problem .
I hope the answer was both informative & useful to you Any follow up query is welcome,
Thanks.
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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vasudha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1970

Answered : 10399 Questions

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What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing?

Brief Answer: Expert advise & personal care would help to cure. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Thank you for the query from Health care magic platform, I have read your query & understand your concern. * A number of conditions can cause difficulty in swallowing, but looking at your age & duration & type of complaint( absent pain.. so no infection or inflammation), I would think of following causes in your case- which obstruct solid food swallowing The basic cause can be in - 1. - Throat - -Dry throat due to over exhaustion/ severe weakness- anemia - Neurological cause-The throat muscles are weakened because some injury to spine or cervical spondylitis causing pressure on nerves supplying the throat muscles & cause difficulty in swallowing. - Pharyngeal diverticula where a pouch is formed in throat , where food collects to obstruct swallowing. 2. esophageal cause- - Foreign body stuck to esophagus, - Irritation/ swelling/stricture of esophagus due to GERD where acid regurgitates in esophagus & cause spasm or scar or narrowing of lower part of esophagus, - Food allergies can cause spasm of esophagus to cause the problem - Thyroid swelling pressing on esophagus * In this context, I would advise you to consult a gastroenterologist for detailed evaluation of your health followed by investigations like cbc/ Xray with contrast(barium)/endoscopy to pin point the cause. CT scan or MRI of cervical spine may be needed in case of neurological problem& thyroid function test in case of goiter. Having found the cause... specific treatment would be offered.He may refer you to neurologist for further management. * treatment would involve specific treatment of cause. It may include - Medicines for GERD to reduce gastric acidity / anti allergic medicines or steroids for food allergies. - Esophageal dilatation/ removal of foreign body/treatment of pharyngeal diverticula. - Exercises to re stimulate the nerve for swallowing reflex/ to co ordinate swallowing ( in case of neurological cause) * self help- - Changing eating habits ( take all nutrients in liquid/ paste form till you recover )& avoid mal nutrition & weakness. - Avoid alcohol, tobacco,caffeine - Avoid hot or spicy food/ allergic food - Take medications for full course - Be stress free & positive. Thus with with expert advise to get rid of the cause & personal care you would be free of the disgusting problem . I hope the answer was both informative & useful to you Any follow up query is welcome, Thanks.