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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Pain While Swallowing. Could This Be Due To GI Problems?

For the past several months when I swallow soft food like bread or a sanwich it has the feeling as it is having going down the esophegus producing a feeling of pain or feeling of getting stuck. It is aided by drinking water and it does go down and the feeling is immediately relieved. I can reduce this by taking very small bites and chewing long. I am a 52yo female with no history of GI problems. Some occassional acid relieved with antiacid like Tums. Thanks
Wed, 29 May 2013
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,

The difficulty in swallowing of food and pain while swallowing needs propt investigations.
Difficulty of swallowing can occur in various conditions, e.g. diverticulum, growth in the pharynx, growth in the esophagus, etc.
In order to determine the cause of these symptoms, an upper gastro-intestinal tract examination needs to be done.
In case of diverticulum, surgical excision of the diverticulum needs to be done.
In case any growth is present, a biopsy of the growth needs to be done.
Are there symptoms of weight loss, weakness, decreased appetite, etc?
If these symptoms are present, there is a possibility of malignant growth in the upper gastro-intestinal tract or pharynx.
Further management will be guided by the result of the investigations.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal

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Pain While Swallowing. Could This Be Due To GI Problems?

Hello and welcome to HCM, The difficulty in swallowing of food and pain while swallowing needs propt investigations. Difficulty of swallowing can occur in various conditions, e.g. diverticulum, growth in the pharynx, growth in the esophagus, etc. In order to determine the cause of these symptoms, an upper gastro-intestinal tract examination needs to be done. In case of diverticulum, surgical excision of the diverticulum needs to be done. In case any growth is present, a biopsy of the growth needs to be done. Are there symptoms of weight loss, weakness, decreased appetite, etc? If these symptoms are present, there is a possibility of malignant growth in the upper gastro-intestinal tract or pharynx. Further management will be guided by the result of the investigations. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal