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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Discomfort In Chest,difficulty In Breathing After Eating Food?

I am 42, female, excellent health. After laughing while eating, I may have gotten a food particle into my lung. It s been about 2 months. Sine that time I have occasional discomfort in my chest and sometimes difficulty getting a deep breath. I had my heart checked, EKG, X-ray, and blood work with everything appearing ok. How would a particle be identified. Will it eventually absorb or remove on its own?
posted on Sun, 23 Mar 2014
Twitter Tue, 22 Nov 2016 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 23 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history of a 42 year old female patient suspected of having inhaled food particle while laughing during eating 2 months ago. Since then have occasional discomfort in chest and sometimes difficulty in taking deep breath. Heart checked, EKG, X-ray, Blood work normal, wants to know how could this particle be identified and whether it will eventually get absorbed or remove on its own.
The history of suspected inhalation of any foreign body is usually due to fear or phobia as within 2 months will would have been exhibited as pneumonia and found on X-ray of the chest.
I would advise you the following:
Take an opinion of a Pulmonologist.
Contrast enhanced CT scan and guided bronchoscopy can help you to get a proper diagnosis and if these are normal your fear should be alleviated.
Stress and anxiety can give the similar symptoms and hence stop worrying about foreign body if it is not found to be present.
If it is found on investigations, it can be removed by bronchoscopy.

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What Causes Discomfort In Chest,difficulty In Breathing After Eating Food?

Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted the history of a 42 year old female patient suspected of having inhaled food particle while laughing during eating 2 months ago. Since then have occasional discomfort in chest and sometimes difficulty in taking deep breath. Heart checked, EKG, X-ray, Blood work normal, wants to know how could this particle be identified and whether it will eventually get absorbed or remove on its own. The history of suspected inhalation of any foreign body is usually due to fear or phobia as within 2 months will would have been exhibited as pneumonia and found on X-ray of the chest. I would advise you the following: Take an opinion of a Pulmonologist. Contrast enhanced CT scan and guided bronchoscopy can help you to get a proper diagnosis and if these are normal your fear should be alleviated. Stress and anxiety can give the similar symptoms and hence stop worrying about foreign body if it is not found to be present. If it is found on investigations, it can be removed by bronchoscopy.