Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing Food And Pain In The Sternum?
Question: i have been having difficulty eating or drinking. It feels as if something gets stuck around my sternum, and fills up almost to my throat. It happens beyond about 8 oz. Sometimes when I try to continue to eat, it causes pain above my clavicle bone. What could this possibly be? Should I see a doctor?
Brief Answer:
Need to undergo Barium swallow testing
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic
Difficulty eating and drinking is called dysphagia.
People with dysphagia have a feeling of food stuck in throat/chest.
Causes for dysphagia include
-Esophageal structure or constriction
-achalasia cardia, which is the failure of lower esophageal sphincter to relax
-Tumor in esophagus
-Zenker's diverticulum, which is an outpouching of mucosa of posterior esophagus
The first evaluation that need to be a done is a barium swallow evaluation to pin point the point and cause of obstruction.
Please be advised to follow up with your primary care provider for further evaluation and management
Hope this answers your question
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Need to undergo Barium swallow testing
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic
Difficulty eating and drinking is called dysphagia.
People with dysphagia have a feeling of food stuck in throat/chest.
Causes for dysphagia include
-Esophageal structure or constriction
-achalasia cardia, which is the failure of lower esophageal sphincter to relax
-Tumor in esophagus
-Zenker's diverticulum, which is an outpouching of mucosa of posterior esophagus
The first evaluation that need to be a done is a barium swallow evaluation to pin point the point and cause of obstruction.
Please be advised to follow up with your primary care provider for further evaluation and management
Hope this answers your question
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
