LASIK Surgery Health Chat: Tuesday, December 15th 5:00-6:00 PM Eastern. Free live Q&A with Dr. Omar E Awad. Ask your question in advance!
Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Blocked throat
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.

Blocked throat

by scaramouche, Dec 06, 2004 12:00AM
I am 63 years old. I have had deodenal ulcers (2),for more than 15 years now and they give me no problems. I have the problem of three or four times a year being unable to swalow down solid food even though I cut small pieces, it is very embarrasing, especially when I am at a sit down meal with geusts. My throat
blocks up for about three days at a time, like right now at the time of this writing. I cannot even get a drop of water down. I drink one, non prescription strength, acid reducing pill, (ranitidine tablets USP, 75 mg), just about every morning before work. I bought the pills at the pharmacy in Walmart. I get very hungry and thirsty and feel constant pain in my throat. To-day, Monday, is the third day now that my throat is blocked up and I have decided to stay away from work untill my throat decides to get un-blocked. My wife that I love very much is besides herself with worry. Can you give me any good advice?
I have full medical coverage with United Health Care. I am allergic to nothing I know of, like penicillin, and I am otherwise in perfect health, I am 6'2" tall and weigh 190 lbs.
Thank you for reading this note.
Scaramouche.

by Kevin Pho, MD, Dec 06, 2004 12:00AM
Any problems with swallowing needs to be investigated further.  I would suggest an upper GI series or upper endoscopy to ensure there isn't any anatomical blockage.  

If negative, a 24-hr pH study with esophageal motility studies can be considered to look for GERD as well as any esophageal motility disorders.  

If negative, you may want to consider an ENT referral to look higher up into the oropharynx.

These options can be discussed in conjunction with a GI or ENT referral.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
Member Comments

by yoshi, Dec 18, 2004 12:00AM
i just learn that saliva conatins bicarbonate and it neutralise stomach acid.
Try chewing gum,your gland will generate a lot of saliva and for some reason,the motion of chewing and swallowing helps.
Continue discussion
RSS Expert Activity
Simple tool to Assess your Risk for...
17 hrs ago by Lee Kirksey, MD
Premium IOLs have a disproportionat...
Dec 13 by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS
EyeNet Article about MedHelp.com Ey...
Dec 13 by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS