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What Causes Inability To Consume Food?
Posted on
Fri, 29 May 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 29 May 2015
Answered on
Thu, 18 Jun 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Patient - female, 58 years; Unable to consume solid food; Consequences - weight loss, reducing hemoglobin, Vit B12, Vit D & other vital nutrients; CT Scan - Normal, Endoscopy - Normal, Blood Pressure - Normal, Sugar levels - Normal. Consulted 5 doctors so far, but root cause not found.
Brief Answer:
Need important details
Detailed Answer:
Hi
We need an elaborate history about the problem since a lot of doctors could not find the cause. Is the problem sudden or progressing? IF progressing since how long? Is there pain during swallowing solids or only difficulty? Does she have any other medical problem like GERD or dental problems or voice issues? Does she able to chew it thoroughly before swallowing? Does she say the food stuck up in between after swallowing? Is she able to gulp water or is there difficult too?
Although the problem seems to be long term as there is severe nutritional deficiency observed. It needs a comprehensive work up including but not limited to Barium swallow study(series of xray taken to see the movement of food), CHest X-ray lateral view if required Oesophageal manometry. A Gastroenterologist, Radiologist and ENT surgeon and may be Oral surgeon should be doing evaluation and treating further. the Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing with Sensory Testing is done now a days by experienced Gastroenterologists. Were any investigations done by Gastroenterologist if yes please attach the recent discharge summary.
Unless the cause is found it cannot have simple answers online. If no cause found it should be treated as Lump in throat feeling or investigate for tumors else where.
Need important details
Detailed Answer:
Hi
We need an elaborate history about the problem since a lot of doctors could not find the cause. Is the problem sudden or progressing? IF progressing since how long? Is there pain during swallowing solids or only difficulty? Does she have any other medical problem like GERD or dental problems or voice issues? Does she able to chew it thoroughly before swallowing? Does she say the food stuck up in between after swallowing? Is she able to gulp water or is there difficult too?
Although the problem seems to be long term as there is severe nutritional deficiency observed. It needs a comprehensive work up including but not limited to Barium swallow study(series of xray taken to see the movement of food), CHest X-ray lateral view if required Oesophageal manometry. A Gastroenterologist, Radiologist and ENT surgeon and may be Oral surgeon should be doing evaluation and treating further. the Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing with Sensory Testing is done now a days by experienced Gastroenterologists. Were any investigations done by Gastroenterologist if yes please attach the recent discharge summary.
Unless the cause is found it cannot have simple answers online. If no cause found it should be treated as Lump in throat feeling or investigate for tumors else where.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
Answered by
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