What Causes Swallowing Difficulty?
?? Most likely to be due to a condition called GERD
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Your selective dysphagia could have many causes, but I shall try and list the ones that seem most likely to me ma'am, I would request you to refer to each condition, do a little research on each and let me know which one matches your presentation most accurately:
+Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Is a condition resulting from acid reflux, and also presents with other symptoms such as heartburn, hoarseness of voice, regurgitation of food or liquid into the mouth, bitter taste in the mouth at times (mostly due to regurgitation), sensation of a lump or something swollen in the mouth, dry cough, chest pain, sore throat, etc.
+Foreign bodies in the oesophagus
+Esophageal abnormalities: Stricture, spasm, tumors, etc; requiring an X-ray of the region
+Due to previous stroke or cancer
+Muscular dystrophy
+Conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, etc; that can affect the nerves causing poor control over muscles
and a few others.
In my opinion GERD is most likely, only because it is the most common condition causing such a presentation, and I am sure most of the other conditions listed can easily be ruled out in your case ma'am. If you can relate to the symptoms of GERD, then please write back to me for further information and guidance on the subject.
I hope you find my response helpful sir. Please also do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Here is a list of do's and don'ts for you
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
As suspected, GERD is the most likely and so here are a list of do's and don'ts which is followed religiously can help keep the condition under control, and avoid aggravation. But please note that occasional aggravation can take place, and for that I am also mentioning a few solutions:
+Avoid smoking
+Avoid fatty food
+Drink plenty of water
+Avoid alcohol
+Avoid carbonated drinks
+Avoid oily food
+Avoid over eating
+Avoid spicy food
+Have 5-6 smaller meals instead of 2-3 larger ones
+Avoid fried food
+Avoid strenuous forms of exercise (maximum 30 minutes of cardio, not more)
+If you are overweight or obese, work towards losing weight
+Avoid stress (if you are very stressed then speak to a doctor to help you with relaxation techniques)
+Take 1 tablet of 30 mg lansoprazole once daily (every morning) for the rest of your life
+Every time you have an episode or aggravation of symptoms then use 1 tablet of either ranitidine or omperazole 15 minutes before each meal (for as long as you have the symptoms only)
+Avoid long gaps between meals
+Avoid acidic foods (E.g. excessive citrus fruits)
+Make sure you have your last meal at least 2 hours before bedtime
+Avoid tea and coffee (because it can cause further irrigation or worsening of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) which is usually either damaged or dysfunctional in GERD
I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write to back to me anytime, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.