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What Causes Discomfort In Food Pipe?

Posted on Mon, 11 May 2015

Question: hi
i am feeling something that is going up and down in my food pipe.. its irritating
what could be the possible way to get rid of that..

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please give feedback.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit small and specific.

To recapitulate: Male/21 - the only complaint is feeling something that is going up and down the food pipe - irritating - wants to know the way to get rid of it.

My I please know some more details?
- Since when have you got this problem?
- Was there any instigating factor like you ate or drank before starting this?
- Have you tried anything?

The possible causes can be:
Motility disorder
GERD- Acid reflux disease
Anxiety or stress

Possible way to get rid of this depends upon the cause obviously and I would suggest you the following:
-First of all to get an Upper GI Endoscopy by a Gastroenteritis.
-If there is no history of a particular food that caused this, I would start you on
PPI like Pantoprazole, Antacid suspension 3 hourly, Motility regulator like Domperidone or whichever is available and admissible in your country.
-If there is a history of some food stuck- X-ray of the chest and upper GI Endoscopy to confirm the diagnosis and to remove it.

I hope this answer gives you an idea to get a proper diagnosis and to get treated according to the cause.Please feel free to ask any relevant questions or if you feel that there is a gap-of-communication.

Waiting for your feedback.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (4 minutes later)

i got this for the past 3 days
but it is abit more today..
for time being what medications can i take until i see a GP first

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
as mentioned.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Please take the following till you see your GP:
PPI like Pantoprazole or Ranitidine to suppress the acid
Antacid suspension Like Happicid or Mucaine gel or any to be taken 3 tsf every 3 hours.
Motility regulator like Domperidone or whichever is available and admissible in your country. Please talk tot the people in Pharmacy.
Cold milk
Small frequent meals of soft bland diet.
No smoking or alcohol (if at all you take)
Calm down the stress and anxiety

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (3 minutes later)

so do i have to drink cold milk?
because here in australia they dont give medicine without prescription..
is acid reflux harmful at certain point

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Contact Pharmacy.

Detailed Answer:
Actually I was trying to find out on internet the medicines which are called OTC (over-the-counter) medicines that are available in Australia.(Every country's regulations differ).
I would request you to contact the nearby Pharmacy so that they will give you appropriate OTC till you see your GP.

Certainly yes, take cold milk.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (14 hours later)

hi dr chandrakant
i had this chest xray done because i was feeling a muscle strain below my left side of chest.. while moving my torso i felt that pain in the chest so then i did a chest xray..
but the chest is fine..
this might be helpful for you

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Think of Costochondritis / How is esophageal problem now?

Detailed Answer:
X-ray chest looks normal.
The commonest cause of feeling of muscle strain below left side of the chest is costochondritis. There may be local tenderness to pressure.

How is the pain now?
How is the symptoms of esophagus now?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (14 minutes later)

i slept well during the night
i dont have any symptoms related to esophageus disease..
it is better than yesterday..
Do you recommend a blood test incase we can find out something
tomorrow is sunday and mostly all xray and medical centres are closed..
i am visiting a Gp tomorrow morning..
can i ask him to give me medicine so that it can control the problem?
i can atleast have a blood test and visit a GP and ask him to give me some medicine for a heal.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Let the GP decide on clinical evaluation, Insist for Upper GI Endoscopy.

Detailed Answer:
If your have slept well, there are no symptoms related to the esophagus, blood tests may not be necessary as such.
Please visit the GP tomorrow and let him decide on clinical examination whether you need some tests or not. Upper GI endoscopy should definitely be done.

Definitely, you can ask for the medicines as this can be a recurrent problem.
Please give feedback about tomorrows visit as to what is the opinion of your GP and discuss about possible costochondritis you are suffering from.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (8 minutes later)

well when i take deep breath i dont feel pain in chest
the only thing makes me uncomfortable is only the throat part.. as some in the esophagus..
as far as i know the costochondritis shouldnt be there because the pain is like only 5%to 8 out of 100..
the pain has decreased very much..
i am going to do the endoscopy anyways..
But does the endoscopy that you mentioned detect problem?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Endoscopy does detect most of the problems.

Detailed Answer:
Great, if costochondritis is not there.

Upper GI Endoscopy can certainly diagnose most of the problems.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (4 minutes later)

ok
I can let u know the report after GP'S visit tomorrow...
but then if i do the endoscopy on monday would it be a problem...
or if i get medicines from the gp tomorrow it can still help right for meanwhile?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No problems.

Detailed Answer:
Yes, absolutely yes. No problem. Please get the medicines and please ask the GP whether the medicines be started after Endoscopy.
This will solve both the problems. You get a prescription and get the Endoscopy done.
There is a possibility of additional medicines if needed on finding something on Endoscopy.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (5 minutes later)

Thank you very much..
one last question
do the inflammation or costochronditis on the left side of the chest, the reason of the uncomfortability of the esophagus.
i mean is it possible that the pain on the left side of chest lead to the uncomfortable situation in throat and esophagus?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.

No, It is not seen that costochondritis can cause such a problem such as causing uncomfortable situation in Esophagus.
BUT...
Both the conditions can have anxiety and/or stress as a causative or enhancing factor.

Pain in the left side of the chest is usually not seen as causing any problem in the throat or esophagus.

Please feel free to ask more if you need to.

You may please rate this answer before closure of the discussion and can certainly contact me on the bellow link in future, whenever you may need me.
http://bit.ly/askdrtchandrakant

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (4 minutes later)

ok
you were really helpful
i would rate you as a 7 star
i might get you in touch after my gp's visit tomorrow if you dont mind.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sure, anytime.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for appreciation.

Sure anytime, please feel free to be in touch anytime you want.

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar