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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing Food While Using A CPAP Machine?

hi dr. rynne, i have sleep apnea for 15 years i use the cpap as much as possible. I find that this past year when i eat the food gets stuck in my throat or lower down the oesophagus. its like it closes and the food cant get through. yesterday i was eating roast beef carefuly but still it got stuck and i couldnt breath i was choking and my husband pushed my stomach and it flew out. it has been happening often and I dont understand why. what do you think it is. I am 55 years old. thank you, Maria
Tue, 11 Oct 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi
Thanks for posting on HCM
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP ) uses a machine to help a person who has obstructive sleep apnea breathe more easily during sleep.
Difficulty swallowing(dysphagia) may not be caused by sleep apnea.Causes of swallowing difficulties may be linked with oesophagus or oropharynx.
-Oesophagial causes may include: Infections, Achalasia, Diffuse spasm, Esophageal stricture, Esophageal tumors, Foreign bodies, Esophageal ring, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Scleroderma.
-Oropharyngeal causes may include: infections, Neurological disorders, Neurological damage, Pharyngeal diverticula, Cancer.
Given all the possible causes, i will suggest you see the Doctor for investigation.Test that may help identify cause may include: barium X-ray, Dynamic swallowing study, endoscopy, Esophageal muscle test (manometry), Imaging scans.
Treatment for dysphagia depends on the type or cause of your swallowing disorder.You may however try the following home measures:
-Changing your eating habits
-Trying foods with different textures to see if some cause you more trouble
-Avoiding alcohol, tobacco and caffeine
Hope this will help
Best regards
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What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing Food While Using A CPAP Machine?

Hi Thanks for posting on HCM Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP ) uses a machine to help a person who has obstructive sleep apnea breathe more easily during sleep. Difficulty swallowing(dysphagia) may not be caused by sleep apnea.Causes of swallowing difficulties may be linked with oesophagus or oropharynx. -Oesophagial causes may include: Infections, Achalasia, Diffuse spasm, Esophageal stricture, Esophageal tumors, Foreign bodies, Esophageal ring, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Scleroderma. -Oropharyngeal causes may include: infections, Neurological disorders, Neurological damage, Pharyngeal diverticula, Cancer. Given all the possible causes, i will suggest you see the Doctor for investigation.Test that may help identify cause may include: barium X-ray, Dynamic swallowing study, endoscopy, Esophageal muscle test (manometry), Imaging scans. Treatment for dysphagia depends on the type or cause of your swallowing disorder.You may however try the following home measures: -Changing your eating habits -Trying foods with different textures to see if some cause you more trouble -Avoiding alcohol, tobacco and caffeine Hope this will help Best regards