What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing And Blood In Stool?

Posted on Tue, 27 May 2014

Question: I have had trouble swallowing. Painful at times, ok other times. Seems my stomach closes off.No acid reflux at night or bending over.
Starting with eating a donut without drinking does not work. Sometimes have to bring it up and start over. Some blood in stool at times also. Also some other stringy soft stuff included too.....can be pinkish or almost clear or tannish colour. Blood can be darker or redish. Not all the time. Juat a bit surrounding, not gobs of blood.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Causes detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
According to the history you have mentioned, the cause of your problem could be an ulcer over the base of the tongue or a candid infection or acid reflux or anxiety.
I would suggest you to drink plenty of warm water, as it improves the blood circulation and reduces the inflammation.
Use a steam inhalation machine for hot vapors thrice a day to melt the mucus/phlegm. You may use Karvol Plus vasocaps in the machine to give flavored vapors.
An over the counter like Strepsils, Vicks can be chewed to drive away the feeling. They also help to soothe an irritated throat.
If the above things do not help, you require a thorough examination of the throat by an apt ENT specialist followed by telescopic laryngoscopy for proper diagnosis and further treatment.
Mucus with blood in the stool is a common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis, and is seen to a lesser degree in Crohn's disease. Bacterial infection, anal fissure, or a bowel obstruction may also cause the passage of mucus and blood along with stool.
Physical examination, stool analysis and sometimes colonoscopy are entailed here. These basic tests are necessary to diagnose the condition and for appropriate treatment.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (2 days later)

Really, I think it has nothing to do with my throat. It seems to me it has to do with my stomach and possibly lower but no way for me to know. The swallowing thing seems more under control. I have been taking Gaviscon a few times a day. No strong tea, no coffee. Usually hot water with lemon and honey. Softer foods. I feel only mild stomach discomfort at times, that part is not a real problem. The blood in stools continues....sort of a darker stripe. Is that a problem? Should a person look farther into this?
I have had an ulcer problem a bunch of years ago but no blood. The stool smells different too. How would one know if it was to do with parasites or a bacterial infection? ....should have an electronic smelling device so we could upload results, eh! Need a stool pic?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Stool examination is needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The blood in the stool can be related to bleeding in the upper GI tract like in ulcers. A microscopic examination of stool can help in differentiating if the bleeding is due to parasites or infection. You can get it tested at your nearest laboratory after consulting your physician and upload the reports in the box provided on the query page right hand side.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar