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What Causes Throat Irritation, Cough, Difficulty In Swallowing And Anorexia?
I ve had anorexia/bulimia for the past 7 years and have been down to 85lbs (I m 5 5) I was purging up to 15 times a day, but since going through different stages of recovery, I m currently at 120lbs. However, I ve continued purging anywhere from three to eight times a day. For the past week, my throat has been scratchy and I ve had a horrible cough. My voice goes away and I find it hard to swallow, talk and breath without going into a coughing fit. I get out of breath a lot easier than u nornally do. I ve never really experienced any side effects like this from bulimia, and I m wondering if there s anything that could be wrong that this could be a symptom of?
Tue, 15 Oct 2019
Hi,
Swallowing difficulties is a nonspecific sign and may indicate several conditions. It is seen in smokers commonly. Also, it can be a sign of esophageal spasms, tumors or GERD.
However, the most common cause is hiatal hernia and this means that stomach is protruding through diaphragm muscle. It may cause breathing difficulties, nausea, swallowing difficulties and irritation of the 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 a 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 X-rays of the stomach.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Iven Romic Rommstein, General Surgeon
Swallowing difficulties is a nonspecific sign and may indicate several conditions. It is seen in smokers commonly. Also, it can be a sign of esophageal spasms, tumors or GERD.
However, the most common cause is hiatal hernia and this means that stomach is protruding through diaphragm muscle. It may cause breathing difficulties, nausea, swallowing difficulties and irritation of the 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 a 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 X-rays of the stomach.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Iven Romic Rommstein, General Surgeon
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