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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Difficulty In Swallowing, Dry Cough, Sore Throat,burning In Chest. Any Ideas?

hi, my 72 years old grand father has been experiencing severe difficulty in swallowing for past one and a half month. first it was with semi solids then progressed to liquids. ( his majority of teeth are missing so no solid diet). he also has on and off low intensity/mild dry cough for past ten years which has now increased in frequency. according to him month ago after morning walk he felt severe chest congestion mild fever for just a day. but chest congestion still persists though intensity has decreased. since 1 month he is also facing problem of sore throat which now has become severe affecting his voice. he often complains of burning sensation along the midline of chest. severe weight loss for past 2 months now his weight is 48kg. his xray chest shows too haziness in lungs and trachea intense white. radiologist says heart size has increased too. Hb is 10, normocytic normochromic anemic and neutrophils are increased. he is hypertensive but his bp is usually controlled. what could it be ?
Thu, 9 May 2013
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
With the available described details, there could be possibility of Esophageal obstruction with chest infection.
Other possibility could be generalized malaise with presence of opportunistic infections such as candidiasis.
You should consult with internal medicine specialist/ gastroenterologist and should go for thorough check up.
He should go for complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, renal function and liver function test, and endoscopy for better clarification.
He should also go for gastric biopsy to rule out presence of Helicobacter pylori infection.
Treatment depends on exact diagnosis.
Meanwhile, he should take complete antibiotic therapy, anti-inflammatory and anti fungal treatment.
Take care,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
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Difficulty In Swallowing, Dry Cough, Sore Throat,burning In Chest. Any Ideas?

Hi, Thanks for posting your query. With the available described details, there could be possibility of Esophageal obstruction with chest infection. Other possibility could be generalized malaise with presence of opportunistic infections such as candidiasis. You should consult with internal medicine specialist/ gastroenterologist and should go for thorough check up. He should go for complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, renal function and liver function test, and endoscopy for better clarification. He should also go for gastric biopsy to rule out presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. Treatment depends on exact diagnosis. Meanwhile, he should take complete antibiotic therapy, anti-inflammatory and anti fungal treatment. Take care, Dr. Mayank Bhargava