I Have Been Having An Issue With Difficulty Swallowing For

Posted on Sun, 30 Dec 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 30 Dec 2018 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I have been having an issue with difficulty swallowing for months. When it get really bad and I look in the mirror I can see my epiglottis sticking up behind my Ulva then it it goes back down after a few minutes. What can be causing this to happen?

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Given the list of possibilities below...

Detailed Answer:
Hi Cnnewhose,
Thanks for the query.I understand your concern.
Difficulty in swallowing can be due to various causes .. like some pathological conditions or few simple life style habits.
- Personal habits of eating very big bites hurriedly/inadequate chewing,dry mouth,swallowing pills.....it is also difficult while talking,laughing or lying down position
chronic smoking,eating very hot food can cause the symptom.
-Acid reflux disease (GERD) ...causing esophagitis,epiglottis inflammation over a long time can cause it.
Pressure symptoms due to goiter/thyroid nodule can cause it.
-Inflammation of epiglottis by bacteria or viruses...having pain,inflammation &fever... can result in weak movements of epiglottis.
-nurogenic causes like diabetes,herpes infection involving nerves,brain stroke affecting nerve supply to epiglottis or Parkinson's disease may cause it.
-old age , throat or esophageal cancer may affect epiglottis.
The cause needs to be found by investigations &expert opinion ... so of the difficulty in swallowing persists for few weeks... one should seek expert opinion.
I hope that answers your query. A y follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy