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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?

Occasionally, I will have problems swallowing food - the biggest culprits are steak and/or raw carrots. It feels like the food is stuck in my throat, a lot of clear mucus is created, and I usually have to throw up the food. But it s only the food in my throat that comes up - none from my stomach. If I drink any liquids (to force it down), that only increases the likelihood of me throwing up the food. If I wait for about 10 minutes, I can usually finish my meal.
Tue, 4 Nov 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Welcome to healthcare magic,
Difficulty in swallowing also called as dysphagia indicates that there is some problem with your pharynx (throat) or esophagus (the food pipe that connects your mouth to stomach).
If you had difficulty in swallowing food once or twice then there is nothing to worry, but if it a frequent problem then it is something that has to be investigated as you may be suffering from some disease. The various causes of difficulty in swallowing food is as follows:
1. Brain or spinal cord injury
2. After a polio attack
3. Esophageal spasm
4. Scleroderma
5. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (ulcers in your esophagus)
6. Diverticula (small abnormal sacs in throat)
7. Cancer

I recommend you to visit your physician if its a regular problem. The physician may ask few test such as barium swallow x ray or esophogoscopy and some other test. Only then can the diagnosis be established and treated.
Hope that answers your question.
Regards, Dr.Imaad.
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What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing Food?

Welcome to healthcare magic, Difficulty in swallowing also called as dysphagia indicates that there is some problem with your pharynx (throat) or esophagus (the food pipe that connects your mouth to stomach). If you had difficulty in swallowing food once or twice then there is nothing to worry, but if it a frequent problem then it is something that has to be investigated as you may be suffering from some disease. The various causes of difficulty in swallowing food is as follows: 1. Brain or spinal cord injury 2. After a polio attack 3. Esophageal spasm 4. Scleroderma 5. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (ulcers in your esophagus) 6. Diverticula (small abnormal sacs in throat) 7. Cancer I recommend you to visit your physician if its a regular problem. The physician may ask few test such as barium swallow x ray or esophogoscopy and some other test. Only then can the diagnosis be established and treated. Hope that answers your question. Regards, Dr.Imaad. (if the answer has helped you, kindly indicate this)