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Suggest Treatment For Difficulty In Swallowing With Feeling Of Obstruction In Chest
Hello, My husband is 62 and the past couple of years has a hard time eating. He can swallow the food but it feels like it gets stuck in his chest. He ultimately has to cough and cough until he can throw it back up. Sometimes afterwards it feels like he can start to eat again and at this point it manages to go down. (sometimes not.) He thinks that his esophagus might need stretched. What tests should he have done? Thankyou so much for your time.
Tue, 20 Jun 2023
Hello,
Ill-fitting dentures can result in swallowing problems too. Insufficient contact between the upper and lower teeth can cause chewing difficulty. Furthermore, your taste buds may be affected by changes in the concentration of organic and inorganic components in your saliva as you grow older.
You are suggested to get clinically examined by an ENT, get all required tests and investigations done like dynamic swallowing study, esophagus (endoscopy), esophageal muscle test (manometry), fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), Imaging scans (CT/MRI), etc.
Cancer of the esophagus, mouth, or throat can also cause swallowing problems. Tumors can also narrow the food passage, causing swallowing problems. Aging causes muscles to gradually weaken. The same goes for muscles that are required for chewing and swallowing in the throat, mouth, and esophagus.
Dysphagia in older adults is a growing concern as it can lead to major health issues such as malnutrition, dehydration, etc. Your husband's treatment will depend on the pathology detected and diagnosis made. In the meantime, he is suggested to take adequate water and fluids. Taking vitamin E rich food or supplements (Vitamin E- 400mg), once daily for 10 days will be helpful.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
Ill-fitting dentures can result in swallowing problems too. Insufficient contact between the upper and lower teeth can cause chewing difficulty. Furthermore, your taste buds may be affected by changes in the concentration of organic and inorganic components in your saliva as you grow older.
You are suggested to get clinically examined by an ENT, get all required tests and investigations done like dynamic swallowing study, esophagus (endoscopy), esophageal muscle test (manometry), fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), Imaging scans (CT/MRI), etc.
Cancer of the esophagus, mouth, or throat can also cause swallowing problems. Tumors can also narrow the food passage, causing swallowing problems. Aging causes muscles to gradually weaken. The same goes for muscles that are required for chewing and swallowing in the throat, mouth, and esophagus.
Dysphagia in older adults is a growing concern as it can lead to major health issues such as malnutrition, dehydration, etc. Your husband's treatment will depend on the pathology detected and diagnosis made. In the meantime, he is suggested to take adequate water and fluids. Taking vitamin E rich food or supplements (Vitamin E- 400mg), once daily for 10 days will be helpful.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
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