Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing Food?

My husband is 79 years old, he is experiencing difficulty with food going all the way down into the stomach. It seems that after swallowing, it seems to get stuck on the way down. Example: Just now eating a ripe honeydew melon, chewed and swallowed, then it happened, not feeling as if it went all the way down. He tries to spit it out, but gets helm. This type of episode has been occurring with most of his meals lately. I do plan to schedule an appointment with an ENT tomorrow. However, is there any relieve for him in the meantime? (There is no difficulty breathing.) Right now he is sitting and waiting for the feeling to go away.
Tue, 15 Nov 2016
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi
Thanks for posting your query on HCM
Difficulty swallowing may be caused by many medical conditions.These causes may be of Esophageal or Oropharyngeal origins.
-Oesophageal causes may include: Achalasia, Diffuse spasm, Esophageal stricture, Esophageal tumors, Esophageal ring, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Radiation therapy, Eosinophilic esophagitis...
-Oropharyngeal causes may include: Neurological disorders/neurological damage, Pharyngeal diverticula, Cancer
I will suggest you see your ENT tomorrow as planned and if need be, you may also see a Gastrologist.Tests that may help identify the cause of your problems may include: barium X-ray, Dynamic swallowing study, endoscopy, Fiber-optic endoscopic swallowing evaluation , Esophageal muscle test (manometry), CT scan.
Treatment will depend on exact cause.In the meantime, i will advise soft and liquide diet, Avoiding alcohol, tobacco and caffeine.
Hope this will help
Best regards
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing Food?

Hi Thanks for posting your query on HCM Difficulty swallowing may be caused by many medical conditions.These causes may be of Esophageal or Oropharyngeal origins. -Oesophageal causes may include: Achalasia, Diffuse spasm, Esophageal stricture, Esophageal tumors, Esophageal ring, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Radiation therapy, Eosinophilic esophagitis... -Oropharyngeal causes may include: Neurological disorders/neurological damage, Pharyngeal diverticula, Cancer I will suggest you see your ENT tomorrow as planned and if need be, you may also see a Gastrologist.Tests that may help identify the cause of your problems may include: barium X-ray, Dynamic swallowing study, endoscopy, Fiber-optic endoscopic swallowing evaluation , Esophageal muscle test (manometry), CT scan. Treatment will depend on exact cause.In the meantime, i will advise soft and liquide diet, Avoiding alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. Hope this will help Best regards