Is Gagging And Spitting Up Of Saliva In An Elderly Woman A Serious Concern?

Posted on Tue, 29 May 2018

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

Tue, 29 May 2018 Answered on

Fri, 2 Apr 2021 Last reviewed on

Question : I’m taking of my 81 year old mother in law, just moved to Calif from XXXXXXX 2 months ago. She has gagging & spitting up saliva issues noticeably after eating, I suspect the Calif vegetables with pesticide residues are causing this effect but I’m not sure...

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get done endoscopy.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

First of all, no need to worry about any obstructive pathology in esophagus because her CT scan is normal.

Sometimes functional esophageal pathologies like achalasia, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can also cause gagging and spitting.

These can be diagnosed by upper GI (gastrointestinal) scope. CT scan can be normal in these diseases.
So, please get the endoscopy done.

If endoscopy is also normal then pesticides in vegetables can be the cause.

Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your mother in law.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (15 hours later)

As a follow up question for numerologist, my mother in law also has this thought that “things” are giving off odor. One day it could be a blanket, next day the vent & so on, please advise...

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Is she suffering from any stress or anxiety?

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

This is more of a psychotic symptom.
So please let me know
1. Is she having any sort of stress and anxiety?
2. Is she having memory loss?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your mother in law. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng