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What Causes Difficulty In Eating And Severe Chest Infection?

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Posted on Tue, 6 May 2014
Question: Hi, My father in law is 63 yrs old and has had a problem of depression for last 17 yrs now. He has had a brain clot operation about 6 yrs ago and had an oral cancer operation last year in May post which he had ration therapy for the same. Now he is not able to eat anything because of some problem in the food pipe and develops severe chest infection frequently. One of the doctor is suggesting the food pipe blockage(or shrinking) could be because of radiation and the other is suggesting that it could be because of his depression. He is hospitalised right now and is very agitated hence the doctors are not able to perform endoscopy to look into the food pipe. Could you please suggest what could this be related to and also recommend some good psychiatry doctors in Delhi we could refer to ? Thanks
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Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (24 hours later)
Brief Answer: can give haloperidol to treat agitation Detailed Answer: Hello, The present agitation needs to be handled right now, as only after endoscopy one can tell what is the reason for his not eating. Difficulty in eating can be related to radiation therapy and can also be due to depression. Whenever there is a strong organic factor involved ( like radiation therapy in this case) we always rule out that and then blame psychological reasons. So, first and foremost is to get the endoscopy and rule out shrinking of food pipe or esophagus. Do not worry, agitation can be managed. We usually give haloperidol 0.25-2mg at night and see for response. Sometimes, we might need to increase the dose. This is a safe drug and is frequently used in severe cases of emerencies. you can discuss this with his doctor and give the drug. He might feel sleepy and relaxed with this drug and so should not move around (as he might fall). Please donot panic, he will be fine. Do ask more questions for clarification. Dr. Manisha Gopal MD psychiatry
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Manisha Gopal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 947 Questions

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What Causes Difficulty In Eating And Severe Chest Infection?

Brief Answer: can give haloperidol to treat agitation Detailed Answer: Hello, The present agitation needs to be handled right now, as only after endoscopy one can tell what is the reason for his not eating. Difficulty in eating can be related to radiation therapy and can also be due to depression. Whenever there is a strong organic factor involved ( like radiation therapy in this case) we always rule out that and then blame psychological reasons. So, first and foremost is to get the endoscopy and rule out shrinking of food pipe or esophagus. Do not worry, agitation can be managed. We usually give haloperidol 0.25-2mg at night and see for response. Sometimes, we might need to increase the dose. This is a safe drug and is frequently used in severe cases of emerencies. you can discuss this with his doctor and give the drug. He might feel sleepy and relaxed with this drug and so should not move around (as he might fall). Please donot panic, he will be fine. Do ask more questions for clarification. Dr. Manisha Gopal MD psychiatry