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What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing?
Question: Hi doctor! Actually, I do have a new situation -- related to the original one, I suspect. I am having trouble swallowing. Liquids and soft foods are fine. But this week, a tiny piece of steak and then (the next night) a tiny bit of a Kettle chip got stuck just below my breast bone.
Painful. Both were expelled: a messy and very uncomfortable situation. I coughed all night. But was fine the next day -- except traumatized by food. Because I need desperately to gain weight, this is worrisome.
I admit that because I don't like drinking water and am always thirsty, I have been drinking alot of soda -- 3 or 4 cans a day. I've been taking Omerprazole (for reflux) for about a week. I've stopped that because I have to be able to swallow solid food -- perhaps it was contributing. I am still taking excedrin and aleve (shingles). Those probably contribute as well. I have cut way back, but maybe I need to cut those altogether?
Can you help? Thank you so much!
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/AskDoctorInboxServlet?page=viewQuery&queryId=226692
Painful. Both were expelled: a messy and very uncomfortable situation. I coughed all night. But was fine the next day -- except traumatized by food. Because I need desperately to gain weight, this is worrisome.
I admit that because I don't like drinking water and am always thirsty, I have been drinking alot of soda -- 3 or 4 cans a day. I've been taking Omerprazole (for reflux) for about a week. I've stopped that because I have to be able to swallow solid food -- perhaps it was contributing. I am still taking excedrin and aleve (shingles). Those probably contribute as well. I have cut way back, but maybe I need to cut those altogether?
Can you help? Thank you so much!
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/AskDoctorInboxServlet?page=viewQuery&queryId=226692
Brief Answer:
upper gastrointestinal endoscopy required
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
your symptoms suggest various esophageal (mostly) disorders. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy would be very useful.
A tumor blocking part of the esophagus has to be excluded since you have no problem with the liquids but you do experience problems with solid food.
Esophagitis is another concern (which fits your history of reflux). Esophagitis may cause pain and a feeling that food is stuck somewhere behind your chest.
Esophageal motility disorders may also cause this problem.
The endoscopy will most likely clarify this issue and you'll be able to receive aprropriate treatment. Until then I would recommend reducing excedrin which may worsen (or cause) gastrointestinal ulcers and taking omeprazole which helps against ulcers and reflux (and esophagitis).
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
upper gastrointestinal endoscopy required
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
your symptoms suggest various esophageal (mostly) disorders. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy would be very useful.
A tumor blocking part of the esophagus has to be excluded since you have no problem with the liquids but you do experience problems with solid food.
Esophagitis is another concern (which fits your history of reflux). Esophagitis may cause pain and a feeling that food is stuck somewhere behind your chest.
Esophageal motility disorders may also cause this problem.
The endoscopy will most likely clarify this issue and you'll be able to receive aprropriate treatment. Until then I would recommend reducing excedrin which may worsen (or cause) gastrointestinal ulcers and taking omeprazole which helps against ulcers and reflux (and esophagitis).
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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