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What Causes Mild Throat Pain When Diagnosed With Barrett's Esophagus?

Posted on Tue, 17 Oct 2017

Question: very mild pain in my throat but not when i swallow also more mucous than usual and my voice st times feel strained chewing gum seems to minimize the symptoms I am 68 quit smoking 21 years ago speedwalk 25 miles per week recently diagnosed with barrets esophagus these symptoms have been going on for a month

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
GERD seems to be the cause

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone very carefully through your query. Your problem seems to be due to gastroesophageal reflux. Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and cause problems like Barret's eshophagus as well as soreness of throat (like the one you are describing).

In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Gurgle with lukewarm water.
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper. It is good that you do it.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep (fluoxetine) 20 mg tablet (long term anxiolytic and a prescription drug) once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in). Discuss about this with your treating physician.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.

Hopefully that should help.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (8 minutes later)

how would I know if its something more serious for instance a tumor would there be more severe symptoms

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Based on the mentioned details I do not suppose that a tumor (or something similar) is involved.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (10 hours later)

it must be silent gerd because I don't feel anything rising in my esophagus I am taking Prilosec I have no sore throat at night or when I wake but during the day it feels as if there is bacteria forming in my throat yet I don't feel it when I swallow what would concern you more about something more serious working here

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Other concerns do not seem pertinent at the moment

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for the inadvertent delay in responding. I do not suppose that something more serious is underway. Rather, let me remark that your being anxious will only make the matters worse.

I would not worry about anything else as of now.

Regards

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