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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Sudden Painful Swallowing, Leading To Throwing Up Of Consumed Food?

I just experienced painful swallowing. It came on suddenly when I started to eat my supper. I had about two mouthfuls and the pressure started. Every time I swallowed the pain became worse. I eventually coughed up some liquid. This continued for about 40 min when finally I coughed up about half a cup of food mixture. I immediately felt better and I could swallow without pain. It felt like a muscle spasm was trying to force the food back up instead of down. I ate my supper and I seem ok. It was very scary. Can you tell me what this was?
Thu, 13 Dec 2018
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

Swallowing difficulties is a 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, a most common cause is a hiatal hernia and this means that the stomach is protruding through diaphragm muscle.

It may cause breathing difficulties, nausea, swallowing difficulties and irritation of the 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 the stomach.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Ivan R. Rommstein, General Surgeon
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What Causes Sudden Painful Swallowing, Leading To Throwing Up Of Consumed Food?

Hi, Swallowing difficulties is a 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, a most common cause is a hiatal hernia and this means that the stomach is protruding through diaphragm muscle. It may cause breathing difficulties, nausea, swallowing difficulties and irritation of the 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 the stomach. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Ivan R. Rommstein, General Surgeon