What Causes Squeezing Pain In The Throat Radiating To The Jaws?

Posted on Mon, 6 Mar 2017

Question: I've been getting recurring painful squeezing and tightening sensations in my lower throat area which radiates to my lower & upper jaw and also radiates across the diaphragm area. The intensity of these bouts are becoming more frequent for about 1 year although I've experienced them before that, less frequently and they haven't lasted as long. My last bout lasted all day and into the evening and was relieved at hospital by a pink liquid which froze my esophagus.

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Most probably GERD,but ischemia attack&throat infection to consider too...

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concern.

Your case in short:
- 66 years old male
- symptoms: painful squeezing and tightening sensations in lower throat radiating to lower &upper jaw & diaphragm area for more than 1 year
- personal history of : 1 double bypass 1990, 1 double bypass 2010
- current health problems: congestive heart failure. 46 percent of my heart still functions

Taking all these into account together with meds you are using to treat your health problems, there are 3 explanations to the squeezing pain in your throat:
- cardiovascular issues (rare case of ischemia attack)
- gastritis or other hyperacidity problems of the stomach to rule out by upper endoscopy
- throat infection

Tecta is a proton pump inhibitor that will alleviate stomach hyperacidity.
I advise to take antacids after meal for a short time and see if improvement.
I also advise to use Gen-nitro spray when you have the pain and see if improvement.
Keep good oral hygiene.
Watch what triggers this pain: food? drink? physical activity? or anything else? or nothing (it might appear from nowhere)?

Hope this helps.
Dr.Albana

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

Follow up: Dr. Albana Sejdini (14 hours later)

Thanks Dr. Sejdini for your prompt reply. I'll visit my Dr. this coming week and take along your report. I feel this will help me as I'm not a medical person and your report prompted me to look up GERD as I've never heard of this condition.
Thank you for your information on my symptoms!

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You're most welcome...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Hope your case will be resolved properly.

Currently you are taking Tecta for GERD (gastro-esophageal-reflux-disease), however, upper endoscopy advised for further evaluation.

If no more queries for now, please close this discussion.
All the best!
Dr.Albana

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

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