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Can Anxiety Interfere With My Physiological Swallowing?

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Posted on Mon, 2 Jun 2014
Question: Can anxiety cause me to swallow the wrong way? I took a Barium Swallow test and the doctor performing the procedure some of the fluid was going down the wrong way.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No barium swallow does not interfere with anxiety

Detailed Answer:
If you are anxious that does not interfere with your physiological swallowing. What do you mean by wrong way. Barium swallow goes through oesophagus and stomach.

Please come up with more details.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli
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Follow up: Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (3 minutes later)
I was told a small amount of the liquid went "the wrong way". I'm assuming that's to the lungs??? I did not choke however. What could cause this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Known

Detailed Answer:
Slipping of a very small amount of barium is known. It happens when you drink water as well. But when you Xray it the barium is seen through passing where as water is not seen as it is not radioopaque. It would not enter the lungs though.

Do not worry.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (19 hours later)
My results revealed that I have a small hiatal hernia that I shouldn't worry about, no evidence of acid refux. I was told I'm not swallowing "the wrong way". When swallowing it was noticed that my throat muscles are weaker than usual causing a bit of residual fluid to be left behind on my vocal cords. I have had zero issues with choking and would not have even known if I hadn't been made aware. I've lost 150 pounds in the last few years. I have been using a CPAP for Sleep Apnea in that time frame with significant amounts of air pressure (18). My question: Could the CPAP have caused some weakness to the swallowing muscles?
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Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Weak muscles around the throat need CPAP

Detailed Answer:
It is otherway. A person who has weak throat muscles would need a CPAP for sound sleep. These muscles because of excessive tissue would shut off the airway and person has trouble taking in the air. So he keeps waking up during sleep. CPAP gives positive pressure to keep the airway open.

So you inherently had weak muscles so tend to slip the fluid while swallowing. In some losing weight helps by losing the extra tissue around the muscles in some it may not. You may have noticed the pressure needed gradually reduce as you lose weight.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli
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Answered by
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Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2086 Questions

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Can Anxiety Interfere With My Physiological Swallowing?

Brief Answer: No barium swallow does not interfere with anxiety Detailed Answer: If you are anxious that does not interfere with your physiological swallowing. What do you mean by wrong way. Barium swallow goes through oesophagus and stomach. Please come up with more details.