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What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing And Burping?
Question: Having periodic trouble swallowing saliva when trying to clear my throat. I also have to clear my throat VERY frequently, at all times of day, independent of any eating schedule. It happens in the morning, afternoon, and night. I took a Barium Swallow test which revealed I may have difficulty swallowing and that some of the fluid I drank was going down "the wrong way". The doctor mentioned it's most likely nurological.
Also, I burp everytime I drink ANYTHING which includes water.
I've had some visual sensitivity (things become out of focus, not metally just visually) speractically, usually when it's bright. Also noticed my pronunciation of complex words is not as crisp as has been in the past, though I'm not slurring my speech at all.
My worst fear has always been being stricken with ALS. Based on these symptoms is that a possible even though it may be an unlikely diagnioses? Could there be a much less and scary diagnioses?
Thanks for your time,
Also, I burp everytime I drink ANYTHING which includes water.
I've had some visual sensitivity (things become out of focus, not metally just visually) speractically, usually when it's bright. Also noticed my pronunciation of complex words is not as crisp as has been in the past, though I'm not slurring my speech at all.
My worst fear has always been being stricken with ALS. Based on these symptoms is that a possible even though it may be an unlikely diagnioses? Could there be a much less and scary diagnioses?
Thanks for your time,
Brief Answer:
Regular follow ups with neurologist are advised...
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
I have gone through your medical history and feel sorry for the situation you are in.
The very first thing is to determine if your difficulty in swallowing saliva or liquids (even water) is due to:
- damages to the nerves
- psychological
As the diagnosis of ALS is based on exclusion criteria, further tests are needed to exclude other pathologies. So, I suggest to run MRI of brain and spine to see any changes.
Neurological examinations at regular intervals are important to judge over the developing course of symptoms (if they are aggravating or not).
Blood and urine tests are also needed to exclude other problems before confirming ALS (which I doubt).
If I was your caring doctor would advise to keep following up with a neurologist and to discuss with him/her about the most probable diagnosis as a complete medical history and physical examination are also of help.
Hope it helped! Let me know if you have further queries!
Dr.Albana
Regular follow ups with neurologist are advised...
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
I have gone through your medical history and feel sorry for the situation you are in.
The very first thing is to determine if your difficulty in swallowing saliva or liquids (even water) is due to:
- damages to the nerves
- psychological
As the diagnosis of ALS is based on exclusion criteria, further tests are needed to exclude other pathologies. So, I suggest to run MRI of brain and spine to see any changes.
Neurological examinations at regular intervals are important to judge over the developing course of symptoms (if they are aggravating or not).
Blood and urine tests are also needed to exclude other problems before confirming ALS (which I doubt).
If I was your caring doctor would advise to keep following up with a neurologist and to discuss with him/her about the most probable diagnosis as a complete medical history and physical examination are also of help.
Hope it helped! Let me know if you have further queries!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Do you know of any causes why I would have to burp after I have a drink of ANY liquid, no matter how many ounces?
Brief Answer:
Because of gas (air)...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Thank you for following up.
The cause of burping after having a drink might be gas you swallow when drinking. This is happening because you find it difficult to swallow, so, larger amounts of gas (air) is swallowed too.
I'd advise to have your drinks slowly and to avoid carbonated (gas-forming drinks/foods).
Hope it answered to your queries! Do let me know if you have further questions!
Dr.Albana
Because of gas (air)...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Thank you for following up.
The cause of burping after having a drink might be gas you swallow when drinking. This is happening because you find it difficult to swallow, so, larger amounts of gas (air) is swallowed too.
I'd advise to have your drinks slowly and to avoid carbonated (gas-forming drinks/foods).
Hope it answered to your queries! Do let me know if you have further questions!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I burp even when I drink very slowly as little as one ounce of water. I also feel tingles in my hands when I run my finger nails up my arm. My right hand is usually completely numb when I awaken every morning regardless of sleeping position. Do these added comments help???
Brief Answer:
Other pathologies should be excluded first...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Apart foods/drinks and eating manners, burping might be also related to:
- heartburn and GERD (stomach problems)
- anxiety
- pancreatic problems
That's why I have asked to run further tests to determine/exclude organic pathologies before confirming ALS.
Feeling your hand numbed early in the morning is a sign of:
- vitamin deficiency (of B group; B12)
- compresses of the hand's nerves during sleep
- rheumatological problems
- local nerves damages (neuropathy)
- diabetes
If all these problems will be excluded from the lab tests reports (if they result negative); then, we might think over ALS.
Hope it answered to your queries!
Dr.Albana
Other pathologies should be excluded first...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Apart foods/drinks and eating manners, burping might be also related to:
- heartburn and GERD (stomach problems)
- anxiety
- pancreatic problems
That's why I have asked to run further tests to determine/exclude organic pathologies before confirming ALS.
Feeling your hand numbed early in the morning is a sign of:
- vitamin deficiency (of B group; B12)
- compresses of the hand's nerves during sleep
- rheumatological problems
- local nerves damages (neuropathy)
- diabetes
If all these problems will be excluded from the lab tests reports (if they result negative); then, we might think over ALS.
Hope it answered to your queries!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sorry for my continued replies but I continue to think of more symptoms..... I have spots in my vision, cloudy dots, most noticable when I look at a white area(tv, computer, even a wall). Adding this to the equation bring more clarity?
Brief Answer:
Consultation with ophtalmologist is advised...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
I am happy to be assisting you. The more symptoms we find out together, the more clearer your health problems will come. So, it will be easier for your doctor to get the final diagnosis.
If you are also having cloudy dots, and spots in your vision, then, you should consult with ophthalmologist to exclude eye problems. He/she will look at your retina to check for possible changes.
If all the examinations will still result normal, then, we can think over nerve damages due to ALS.
Please bare in mind that the final diagnosis is determined after a Calvary of physical examinations and appropriate tests.
Hope it answered to your queries!
Dr.Albana
Consultation with ophtalmologist is advised...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
I am happy to be assisting you. The more symptoms we find out together, the more clearer your health problems will come. So, it will be easier for your doctor to get the final diagnosis.
If you are also having cloudy dots, and spots in your vision, then, you should consult with ophthalmologist to exclude eye problems. He/she will look at your retina to check for possible changes.
If all the examinations will still result normal, then, we can think over nerve damages due to ALS.
Please bare in mind that the final diagnosis is determined after a Calvary of physical examinations and appropriate tests.
Hope it answered to your queries!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Can ALS symptoms such as swallowing problems or muscle pain/tightness get better or act in an intermitten fashion? Or once you get a side effect of the disease its there to stay?.
Brief Answer:
ALS is a progressive disease...
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Side effects (complications) of the disease depend on the number of nerves damaged and severity of damages. this is also called XXXXXXX Gehrig's disease, and it involves neurons (nerve cells) controlling voluntary muscle cells. It is a progressive disease.
If the diagnosis of ALS is confirmed, then,the treatment strategy is aiming to ease the symptoms and improve quality of life because a permanent cure is not found yet.
Hope it answered to your queries!
Dr.Albana
ALS is a progressive disease...
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Side effects (complications) of the disease depend on the number of nerves damaged and severity of damages. this is also called XXXXXXX Gehrig's disease, and it involves neurons (nerve cells) controlling voluntary muscle cells. It is a progressive disease.
If the diagnosis of ALS is confirmed, then,the treatment strategy is aiming to ease the symptoms and improve quality of life because a permanent cure is not found yet.
Hope it answered to your queries!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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