Question: Hello, I recently had a barium swallow for dysphagia; in my case it presents as food being stuck high up in my throat so I have to wash it down. This has been going on for 6-9 months. The report came back saying: "There is apparent discoordination of swallowing function, resulting in reflux of the barium from the pharynx superiorly, reaching the hard palate and a small amount of barium even reaches the nasopharynx....Large amounts of residue seen in the vallecula requiring multiple swallows." The report said all structures were normal, no significant findings of cervical spondylosis, no Zenker's diverticulum, Cricopharyngeus muscle not hypertrophied. Cervical and thoracic oesophagus fully distensible. No mucosal based abnormality seen in the thoracic oesophagus, no stricture identified, no significant motility abnormality seen in the oesophagus. No hiatal hernia, no demonstrable reflux.
I'm being referred to a speech language pathologist for a detailed swallow analysis, and to a neurologist - which is the part that scares me, especially after seeking out Dr. Google. There is a familial tendency for dysphagia: both my mother and aunt developed choking problems in their 50s. As far as I know, those problems were neither investigated nor treated. I am wondering if there are less frightening possibilities than a neurological cause. Is there such a thing as idiopathic familial dysphagia? I also saw that eosinophilic esophagitis runs in families, especially with lots of allergies, which we do have. Is there anything in the report that rules that out (or makes it a possibility?)
I won't get to see a neurologist for quite a while - in Canada, you wait your turn. This is making me very anxious.
Thank you.

The ENT said there were no masses or growths.
I'm afraid I don't have access to the barium swallow pictures.
I understand that you don't have enough information for a diagnosis, but my question was: is there such a thing as familial dysphagia? My mind is racing ahead to all the scary possibilities: ALS, MS, Parkinson's, and I'm seeking reassurance that maybe it's just a genetic inheritance. Thank you for the advice on what to eat - and what not to.

Unfortunately, my ENT didn't order an esaphogoscopy, only a detailed swallow analysis at a speech language pathologist and a referral to a neurologist. In Canada, our Medicaid system doesn't allow us to request additional testing. We just have to go with what the specialist recommends.

I don't have any muscle weakness to speak of, though my right side is generally weaker than my right - I know this from the weights I lift at the gym.

Thanks.

Thank you.