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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Chronic Cough And Difficulty In Swallowing Be Treated?

Hi - my dad just returned from China. He has been coughing for more than 1 month. Two weeks ago, his started to have difficulty swallowing, the tongue cannot not move very well, the cheek muscles trembles when opening the jaws, or when smiling. Can someone please help!! Thank you Joyce
Mon, 10 Jul 2017
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi and welcome to Healthcaremagic. Thank you for your query.

If there are swallowing difficulties associated with cough then it may iondicate specific condition called hiatal hernia and it should be considered.
This means that stomach is protruding through diaphragm muscle.
It may cause breathing difficulties,nausea, swallowing difficulties and irritation of stomach. It will also be aggravated by certain food or medications, stress and smoking. You need to avoid fried food, carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol and spicy food. You should eat more milk products, vegetables and boiled food. Also, certain antiacid medications may be required and as last option, it is possible to perform surgical repair of hernia especially if there are progressive respiratory discomfort and dyspepsia. To diagnose it you should do gastroscopy and if this is negative as in your case then you should do contrast xrays of stomach.

I hope I have answered you query. If you have any further questions you can contact us in every time.
Kindly regards. Wish you a good health.
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How Can Chronic Cough And Difficulty In Swallowing Be Treated?

Hi and welcome to Healthcaremagic. Thank you for your query. If there are swallowing difficulties associated with cough then it may iondicate specific condition called hiatal hernia and it should be considered. This means that stomach is protruding through diaphragm muscle. It may cause breathing difficulties,nausea, swallowing difficulties and irritation of stomach. It will also be aggravated by certain food or medications, stress and smoking. You need to avoid fried food, carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol and spicy food. You should eat more milk products, vegetables and boiled food. Also, certain antiacid medications may be required and as last option, it is possible to perform surgical repair of hernia especially if there are progressive respiratory discomfort and dyspepsia. To diagnose it you should do gastroscopy and if this is negative as in your case then you should do contrast xrays of stomach. I hope I have answered you query. If you have any further questions you can contact us in every time. Kindly regards. Wish you a good health.