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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pain While Swallowing?

I believe I scratched my windpipe with a tortilla chip. Can’t talk. I was eating tortilla chips when I felt a shard get stuck in my windpipe, I coughed but it stayed stuck. I swallowed and somehow it went down. Not sure if it went down my windpipe or esophagus. Now an hour later, I can’t talk. It hurts extremely bad to talk at all. Swallowing hurts a tiny bit, not bad. But talking is just impossible bc of the pain. — this is what makes me think I scratched my larynx instead of my esophagus. And that scares me a lot. I don’t feel like I ended up getting it down into my windpipe/lungs and I can breathe fine, so at least there’s that. But talking is unbearably painful. Did I scratch my vocal cords? Could this permanently alter or damage my voice, as I know happens to some people. I’m very scared of permanently altering something. Will it heal on its own with no damage or should I see a doctor?
Thu, 28 Jun 2018
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Swallowing difficulties is nonspecific sign and may indicate several conditions. It is seen in smokers commonly. Also it can be sign of esophageal spasms, tumors or GERD. However, most common cause is hiatal hernia and this means that stomach is protruding through diaphragm muscle. It may cause breathing difficulties,nausea, swallowing difficulties and irritation of stomach. It will also be aggravated by certain food or medications, stress and smoking. You need to avoid fried food, carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol and spicy food. You should eat more milk products, vegetables and boiled food. Also, certain antiacid medications may be required and as last option, it is possible to perform surgical repair of hernia especially if there are progressive respiratory discomfort and dyspepsia. To diagnose it you should do gastroscopy and if this is negative as in your case then you should do contrast X-rays of stomach.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Causes Pain While Swallowing?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Swallowing difficulties is nonspecific sign and may indicate several conditions. It is seen in smokers commonly. Also it can be sign of esophageal spasms, tumors or GERD. However, most common cause is hiatal hernia and this means that stomach is protruding through diaphragm muscle. It may cause breathing difficulties,nausea, swallowing difficulties and irritation of stomach. It will also be aggravated by certain food or medications, stress and smoking. You need to avoid fried food, carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol and spicy food. You should eat more milk products, vegetables and boiled food. Also, certain antiacid medications may be required and as last option, it is possible to perform surgical repair of hernia especially if there are progressive respiratory discomfort and dyspepsia. To diagnose it you should do gastroscopy and if this is negative as in your case then you should do contrast X-rays of stomach. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.