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What Causes Subtle Throat With Gurgling Sound, Mucus And Difficulty In Swallowing?

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Posted on Sat, 6 Aug 2016
Question: Hello

ANother question I forgot to ask

I have my appointment with the doctor tomorrow and I will mention what you said as well.

However I wanted to let you know that I also suffer from a tense throat. Althought it seems to be less tense than what it was time ago. But what makes me feel uncomfortable and worried is that sometimes a few seconds or very few minutes after eating or drinking I hear a throat gurgling sound, it's usually really subtle. But I wonder, is this reflux?

Remember my laryngologist said he didn't see any redness on my arytenoids this time (around a month ago)

So I am unsure as I know I have a bit of globus or strange mucus and swallowing issues (these came when I had that infection in 2010). But the gurgles.. I think they were there for at least 2 years and I think they're less noisy or disturbing now, but they are there.

Do you know what they could be? Is my upper esophageal sphincter doing weird? If so what can I do?

I am really tired of not finding any cure for my problem.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your review query.
Went through previous all discussions.
The subtle throat gurgling sounds can be due to the following reason:
- Due to the throat problems we already discussed in details, there can a small amount of entrapped air somewhere from the pharynx to the lower esophagus and stomach, which on involuntary movement to push down makes the sound.
- Small pharyngeal pouch can also present this way and can be detected sometimes on endoscopy and/or thick Barium swallow test.
- Can be very small burp and secondary to the lax lower esohageal sphincter.
A small part of the GERD.

Since other symptoms are settling well, this too may pass off and not to be worried unless diagnosed as pharyngeal pouch on Barium swallow and/or endoscopy.
I do not think it is related to the upper esophageal sphincter.
Please continue the same medicines and you shall be fine, this symptom may vanish.
Please let me know the follow-up with your Doctor.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Hello

Thanks for your answer.
As far as I know there is no pharyngeal pouch (I think you mean Zenker's diverticulum) or in the esophagus.

I had 2 barium swallows. One in 2014 which was monitoring my pharynx and upper esophagus. I can't remember the consistency of the barium on this one, but I think it was like yoghurt so I don't remember it being thick. And another one in 2016 which was full of the entire esophagus.

On the 2014 one nothing was found
On the 2016 one there seemed to be some kind of pseudo diverticulum and also some "parts" of my stomach were seen above, but no hiatal hernia.

I also had an endoscopy done. On the endoscopy the diverticulum was not found, however my Z line was irregular and was diagnosed with esophagitis grade 1. My lower sphincter was competent at 35. Byopsies were taken for analysis of inflamation but the results showed no inflamation and the doctor said there was no esophagitis at all. Just the Z line more irregular. And that the "diverticulum" that wasn't found could have been pressure changes.

My guess is that the irregular Z line was because of the strain of coughing, which could have lifted the stomach a bit. So I guess, if I am not wrong, that I could be on a pre hiatus hernia stage. But I don't know if maybe those pressure changes could cause that "full throat", gurgles and such feelings?

I know I shouldn't be worried. But since I've been suffering for so long I just want these symptoms to end. They seem to improve, but not always, it seems like I go backwards sometimes and improvement doesn't seem to be constant. And I feel I will be with these swallowing, voice and breathing issues for my whole life.

Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for an elucidate follow up.
Covered all the points of importance and in nutshell.
First of all I would like to emphasize one point if you believe in. It is observed that positive thinking helps tremendously in similar cases. If you have the thing in mind that you may have to suffer lifelong, then it may not be possible to have full results. If you think that you are going to be cured, you will be.
I hope you understand what I mean by.
Peudodiverticulum as you have mentioned might have been the motility changes picked at that particular moment.
Taking all the points into consideration, the symptoms may be due to small air entrapped or inadvertent burping, albeit in small quantity and could get cured if you decide on.
Proper medications, and avoidance of stress and/or anxiety can cure it all.
Why should we think of pre-changes of hiatal or so if these are not present, let us think positive that everything is going to be reverted back completely.

Change of everything possible like long holiday away from home and work-place without much of XXXXXXX and net nuisance can also help alleviate all your problems, try once this form of therapy.

Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (29 hours later)
Hello

Yes. I know positive thinking helps. I've been trying to think positive for so long but I see no end in here..

By the way. I was on the doctor yesterday
The chest CT scan they did on me revealed a XXXXXXX Jamieson diverticulum on the right side.

So I assume that one is causing many of the symptoms I have. I always feel pressure on the right side of my throat/neck/chest that never goes away

I also can't believe this, since I had so many tests done, so many. They always tried to convince me I had nothing and then this shows up!

I don't understand. I really don't understand.

Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Get a Second opinion of a Specialist.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Since a diverticulum is found, get a reference for the Specialist and get an opinion and proper treatment so that you get further relief.
Rest of the treatment to be continued as before.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (27 minutes later)
Hello

And what else do I do??
I am tired of doctors that are not able to cure me.

Seriously, they were telling me for a long time I had nothing and suddenly this shows up. How do I get rid of this diverticulum. I don't want this pouch on me.

Now we don't know what's causing my symptoms or if I got something else that was undiagnosed.

I just want to cure and that seems near to impossible. I am just thinking that I will be my whole life like this. I seriously can't believe how can there be so many errors here.

Really I am so lost in here.
Should I see a gastro?
I feel I am going doctor by doctor, spending money on tests and stuff, and I don't get relief. I am getting desperate here.

Sorry for all this but I am becoming frustrated. It's 6 years of symptoms and the worst ones are the breathing ones.

Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Get an appointment with the Surgeon

Detailed Answer:
I can understand the plight you are going through at the moment. One finds the cause and is shocking many a times.
But we should be accepting the facts and in fact be happy that one cause is found.
Please ask your Doctor for a reference for the Surgeon who can operate you.
Get an appointment and see what is his opinion so that further steps can be taken.
We have to take one step by step towards getting the correct diagnosis and get treated accordingly to get a cure. And this is possible.
Please do not get frustrated as there is no reason for it.
Get along and please let me know the progress.
I am sure you will get the results.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (37 hours later)
Thank you

I was anxious for several days since I know this. I haven't been able to sleep.
I am seeing an specialist on Tuesday, but I really doubt he will be able to calm me and to identify if some of my symptoms (or the remaining ones) are caused by this problem or not..

I am also uncertain, if I did surgery if I would get relief or if they would leave me worse, it's not an easy surgery and I am affraid
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Stop worrying as the diagnosis is certain now.

Detailed Answer:
I can understand the plight you must be going through.
As said earlier, the best part is getting the correct diagnosis.
The CT scan showed a XXXXXXX Jamieson diverticulum on the right side and could have been the reason of some of the symptoms that you have.
Consult your Specialist on Tuesday and please let me know his opinion.
Your symptoms of tense throat, gurgling sounds, bit of globus or strange mucus and swallowing issues might have been due to this.
So please stop worrying, let us take the next step towards detailed evaluation and management; let us see what your Specialist says.
I have a feeling that you will certainly get well with appropriate treatment. Have faith in your Doctor/s.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)
Faith is a bit complicated after so many wrong diagnoses.

Will tell you.. thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I can understand

Detailed Answer:
There was not a wrong diagnosis, it was incorrect diagnosis.
Happens in some cases.
Awaiting your feedback.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19778 Questions

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What Causes Subtle Throat With Gurgling Sound, Mucus And Difficulty In Swallowing?

Brief Answer: As detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your review query. Went through previous all discussions. The subtle throat gurgling sounds can be due to the following reason: - Due to the throat problems we already discussed in details, there can a small amount of entrapped air somewhere from the pharynx to the lower esophagus and stomach, which on involuntary movement to push down makes the sound. - Small pharyngeal pouch can also present this way and can be detected sometimes on endoscopy and/or thick Barium swallow test. - Can be very small burp and secondary to the lax lower esohageal sphincter. A small part of the GERD. Since other symptoms are settling well, this too may pass off and not to be worried unless diagnosed as pharyngeal pouch on Barium swallow and/or endoscopy. I do not think it is related to the upper esophageal sphincter. Please continue the same medicines and you shall be fine, this symptom may vanish. Please let me know the follow-up with your Doctor.