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Suggest Remedies For Numbness In The Throat And Difficulty In Swallowing

Posted on Mon, 22 Aug 2016

Question: Hi. For rhe last month my throat is really numb. I cant feel anything in my throat when i swallow. I also cant feel hot or cold sensations on my tonugue or feel myself urinate. What could be causing these symptoms? Im terrified. Is it life threatning?

Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Cause of sensory loss and need of more information

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, thanks for asking from HCM.

I can understand your concern. You are having sensory loss over tongue and throat. The nerves which carry sensation from this region are

: 7th or facial - tongue
: 9th or glossopharyngeal - tongue and throat
: 10th or vagus - tongue and throat

As you are having sensory loss in large area, I think all these nerves may be involved. To confirm more or suspect, I need more information like

: Is there any taste sensation loss?
: Any history of weakness in tongue, swallowing, speech production, any limb function loss?
: Any history of headache, facial pain ?
: Any history of seizures, loss of consciousness ?
: Are you on any medication? if yes, please mention.
: Any history of diabetes mellitus, chronic illness?

These questions need to be answered to reach unto some conclusion. Few cases, which I am suspecting, are

: Syringobulbia
: Brainstem mass or infarct
: Cranial neuropathy
: Some metabolic disorders like Porphyria
: Infection like Lyme disease

Hope you will understand my point. if you have any doubt, do let me know.

Thanks. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (25 days later)

I am still experiencing the numbness to my esophagus. Still have no sensation. This is beginning to worry me tremendously as im fearing for my life and if i can die from this.

Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (40 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cause of numbness

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, welcome back.

You should consult gastroenterologist for evaluation of oesophagus. He may do upper g.i. endoscopy to know about any lesion. If any doubt, contrast CT scan of oesophagus can also rule out any mass lesion.

Do not worry. Numbness can be treated after confirming diagnosis. Red flag signs of severe oesophageal disease are

: Bleeding
: Weight loss
: Regurgitation
: Palpable swellings over neck

Hope it will help you.

Thanks. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (2 hours later)

I was seen by a gastroenterologist who preformed and endoscopy which he said was normal. I was also seen by an ENT who said structurally things lookrf well. Could a tooth absess or infection have caused numbness to mouth and throat? Im at a loss and so terrified as I have an 11 year old son who I dont want to leave behind as i am beginning to fear this could be life threatning. I am desperate for help,amswers and relief.

Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
Esophageal numbness evaluation and management

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxx, welcome back.
Sorry for the delay in my response..

It is good that your esophagus and oral cavity have been examined by specialist doctors. If everything was found out to be normal, you must not worry at all. Because endoscopy can identify any lesion at an early stage.

The numbness could be due to oral cavity infection. You can show it to ENT doctor who will clear your doubts. Also if still doubt persists, get Contrast enhanced CT or MRI of esophagus to rule out any lesion outside lumen of esophagus.

Please don't worry as your investigations are normal.

Hope it will help you. Thanks. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (40 minutes later)

If the numbness is being caused by the tooth infection, once its extracted will the numbness be reversible? If the numbness in the throat and loss of temp sensation in back of tongue is permanent is this something that can kill me? Can I live a long life with this? Im sorry for the questions, i am just afraid and have not found ways to cope with this scary numbness going on.If the throat numbness is being caused an oral infection and teeth are extracted is the numbness reversible?
If the numbness is permanent could this kill me?

Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (42 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Numbness cause and effects

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxx, welcome back.

The numbness in throat and tongue can not kill you. As I have already told you, your oral cavity and oesophagus have been examined by specialists and found to be normal. It means there is no life threatening situation.

You should also consult neurologist and get your sensory and autonomic system examination done to rule out any other cause as mentioned in first answer. He will tell you the degree and extent of loss and might advise few investigations to reach unto diagnosis.

The numbness can resolve after oral infection treatment and tooth extraction treatment if these are the cause of it.

Meanwhile avoid excessive hot or cold food or drinks. Always chew properly before swallowing.

Hope it will help you. Thanks. Take care.
If still in doubt, do let me know.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj