Difficulty with Swallowing
Age: 25 Gender: Female Height: 5’2" Weight: 108 lbs Ethnicity: Caucasian Complaint Duration: 1 year Affected Areas: Throat, under jaw, neck Prevailing Medical Conditions: None Current Medications: None --- Hello everyone, I’m reaching out to see if someone might have insights or advice to share. For nearly a year, I have faced challenges when trying to swallow solid foods, which has also led to breathing complications that intensify during mealtimes. Additionally, I experience frequent burping, even when I haven’t consumed anything, such as first thing in the morning. Sudden movements also trigger burps. I have undergone numerous medical evaluations, including two barium swallow tests, an endoscopy, an electrocardiogram, and a CT scan of both my chest and neck. I’ve consulted with two ear, nose, and throat specialists, had ultrasounds on my throat and thyroid, and even visited an allergist to rule out allergies. All these tests returned normal results. I attempted reflux medication, but it was ineffective. I have no issues with stomach pain or bowel movements; my appetite remains, but eating has become quite difficult. At times, it feels as though I have forgotten how to swallow. I perceive a sensation of constriction in my throat, leading to moments where it seems like I’m being choked. Occasionally, I notice discomfort in my neck and jaw muscles. I am hoping someone can provide guidance on how to proceed with this troubling situation. As a brief note, I consider myself to be generally healthy, maintain a vegetarian diet, and seldom get ill. Thank you for any assistance you can offer!
Answers (1)
8/8/2025, 10:20:53 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you've been dealing with a very challenging and frustrating situation regarding your swallowing difficulties. The combination of symptoms you describe—difficulty swallowing solid foods, breathing complications during meals, and the sensation of throat constriction—can be distressing.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms suggest potential issues beyond physical obstructions, possibly involving anxiety or muscle coordination.
- There are steps you can take to manage your swallowing difficulties and symptoms at home.
Explanation:
Since you have undergone extensive evaluations and tests with no conclusive findings, it’s possible that your swallowing issues may stem from functional causes rather than structural ones. The sensation of choking or constriction can be linked to muscle control in the throat, which can sometimes be influenced by factors such as anxiety or stress. The burping may be related to swallowing air during meals or a sensitivity in your esophagus.
Next Steps:
-
Practice Swallowing Exercices: Consider engaging in swallowing therapy, which can include techniques such as:
- Chin Tuck: Slightly tuck your chin down while swallowing to help with the alignment of your throat muscles.
- Slow Sips: Take small sips of liquids between bites of solid foods to ease the swallowing process.
-
Dietary Adjustments: Focus on softer foods and chew them thoroughly. It might also help to have smaller, more frequent meals that are easier to manage. Use foods that combine well with liquids (like soups or smoothies).
-
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Explore mindfulness exercises, deep breathing, or relaxation techniques before and during meals to help reduce anxiety that may contribute to muscle constriction.
-
Maintain a Food Journal: Keep track of what foods enhance or lessen your swallowing difficulties and discuss your findings with a healthcare professional if needed.
-
Gradual Exposure: Gradually challenge yourself to eat different consistencies of food, starting with very soft ones and slowly introducing solids as you feel more comfortable.
If symptoms worsen or new symptoms arise, please assess the situation and consider further evaluation with specialists, possibly looking into issues like sensory processing or muscle coordination involved in swallowing. Stay strong, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support, whether from friends, family, or healthcare providers.
Related Questions
Severe Throat Discomfort
Hello! I've been experiencing a severe throat discomfort that intermittently appears. This issue generally arises as I begin to recuperate from an illness, typically persisting for approximately three weeks to a month. During the initial episode, I struggled to turn my head or move my neck at all. While residing in college dorms, the campus health staff repeatedly speculated it was mononucleosis, despite my negative test results on several occasions. This occurred around October or November. The next episode unfolded while I was traveling over the summer. I encountered the usual travel-related illness due to my historically weak immune system, and this prolonged sickness lasted about a month before the throat discomfort returned. I eventually visited the emergency room for relief, but they offered no solutions. They assured me I was fine based on negative strep tests and a clean bill of health for "other conditions." They merely provided ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and Benadryl to assist with sleep. Just two weeks ago, I fell ill again, recovered swiftly, but then woke up yesterday with a throbbing sore throat. My neck aches, and I can feel that my lymph nodes are enlarged. I can’t shake this ominous feeling… To add some context, I’ve observed a pattern; each instance of these illnesses coincides with periods of significant stress in my life.
Concerns About Potential Oven Cleaner Exposure: Should I Be Worried?
I'm a 23-year-old male, weighing 225 pounds, living in the United States. After shifting to a new apartment, I discovered that the oven still had dried remnants of oven cleaner that hadn't been washed off. My roommate had recently applied a different oven cleaner and scrubbed it with a Brillo pad, followed by rinsing. The next day, when I used the oven to heat some food, I noticed some leftover residue in the corners. A chemical odor caught my attention, and after about 15 minutes, I decided to transfer my food to the microwave for safety. Moreover, I had used the same Brillo pad to clean the oven tray before placing my food on it, unaware that it had been previously used with oven cleaner the night before. Now, I'm feeling anxious that I might have ingested some oven cleaner. I’m experiencing an unusual cold sensation in my mouth and throat, which comes with a scratchy or dry feeling. I'm wondering if the amount of cleaner I might have been exposed to is concerning or if it's merely a negligible trace. Any insights from others who have experienced this would be greatly appreciated.
Navigating Motion Sickness and Cybersickness
Hello everyone! I'm a 16-year-old female, with a height of 162 cm, and I’ve dealt with motion sickness for most of my life. Recently, however, it has worsened significantly, extending to cybersickness as well. Spending more than 25 minutes in front of a screen leads to severe discomfort—something that is particularly challenging since I need to use screens for my schoolwork and beyond. After these episodes, I often find myself unable to do anything but lie in bed for the remainder of the day, wrestling with nausea or even vomiting. This issue doesn’t just arise from screen time; I also experience stomach upset during walks or jogs, which leaves me puzzled about how to alleviate this condition. I frequently rely on over-the-counter travel sickness medication, specifically Avomine, and while it does offer some relief, the effect is minimal. I’m seeking advice or suggestions that might help me regain a sense of normalcy in my daily life. For your reference, I don't smoke and only consume alcohol on very rare occasions. I’m located in the UK! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Navigating Iron Levels: A Personal Journey
At 36, I find myself grappling with iron deficiency issues ever since I had a copper IUD placed. Though I had it removed three years ago, my ferritin levels still remain troublingly low; I've seen some progress—up from a previous 5—yet it’s still far from satisfactory. Currently, I take heme optifer iron three times a week to try to boost my levels. During my initial blood test, I was fasting and had halted my iron supplements for a full day prior. The results were perplexing, leading me to pause my iron intake for another two weeks before submitting blood work again. The recent results showed: - Iron: 32.7 umol/L - Transferrin: 1.74 g/L - Transferrin Saturation: 0.74 - TIBC: 44 umol/L - Ferritin: 29 I’m struggling to understand these findings. Is it typical to have such high transferrin saturation whilst my ferritin remains low? More importantly, what strategies can I use to elevate my ferritin levels to the desired range of 50 to 60 given these blood test results?
Swelling and Discoloration at the Tip of My Big Toe
I am a 34-year-old assigned female at birth, standing 6'1" and weighing 225 pounds. I do not smoke and my current medications include Lexapro, Metformin, and Tirzepatide. Recently, I accidentally trimmed my toenail a bit too short, though there was still visible nail left. Initially, I experienced some discomfort accompanied by redness, tightness, and swelling around the toe, but I decided to manage it without seeking immediate attention. However, a few days ago, I began to notice the emergence of purple dots and streaks, which have progressively worsened. Furthermore, I have also detected a painful purple area at the edge of my second toenail, which is surprising as I haven’t trimmed them in several weeks. I would appreciate any insights on this issue, as I’d like to avoid unnecessary expenses for a medical consultation that may lead to a dismissive response like “just let it grow out.”