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)
possible cause of difficulty swallowing?
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.
possible cause of difficulty swallowing?
by notbarley, Sep 23, 2006 12:00AM
I have a simple question, but I really think I have a possible solution for at least some people with respect to the sensation of something stuck in the throat. My question is this: is it possible this sensation could be caused by an allergic reaction to something in the diet?
Now I’ll give my answer to that question by telling my story. I’m a 46-year-old female in okay shape, not overweight. I started getting a feeling of something stuck in my throat about 1 week after returning from summer vacation this year. It happened all of a sudden: one day I was fine, the next day I couldn’t get rid of the sensation. It was not terribly bad at first, but annoying and worrying. I waited a few days, then went online to find out more. That’s when I found this forum, and when I read all the descriptions of similar problems that seemed to have no explanation, I felt a sense of dread. After about 2 weeks of this sensation pretty much constant (it stopped a few times), I went to an ENT. He checked my nose and upper throat, they were fine. He sent me to do the barium swallow, it was fine. That very day, after coming home, I had the feeling much worse than before.
The ENT then referred me to a gastroenterologist. However, before making an appointment, something triggered the thought that this might be an allergy. Here is why: I developed a systemic reaction to barley grass (long story) about 13 years ago. Many years later, when I began drinking beer, I started getting strange puffiness and rash around my eyes. I finally realized it was the beer. When I stopped drinking it pretty much went away (not entirely). I’ve since learned that I am allergic to a variety of foods, but not wheat or dairy. However, here’s the kicker: during my summer vacation I drank some beer. At first it seemed I was “getting away with it.” So I kept it up (I’m not talking binge here--one to two beers in an evening if I had something to drink and not every night), including right up to the night before the barium swallow! After that test came out fine, I went home and really choked. I decided to go on a “liquid diet” for a few days (liquids seemed easier to swallow than solids), and give up all alcohol and wheat to see what happened. I survived on juice, yogurt, and milkshakes for 2 days. During that time, the symptoms went away. I then slowly added in everything else to my diet, including an occasional glass of wine, and I have not had the symptoms return. I’m convinced it was the beer. I have decided that food allergies are definitely not to be messed with. I have sent this message in the hope that it might help others who may also be suffering throat problems because of food allergies—try an elimination diet and see what happens.
Now I’ll give my answer to that question by telling my story. I’m a 46-year-old female in okay shape, not overweight. I started getting a feeling of something stuck in my throat about 1 week after returning from summer vacation this year. It happened all of a sudden: one day I was fine, the next day I couldn’t get rid of the sensation. It was not terribly bad at first, but annoying and worrying. I waited a few days, then went online to find out more. That’s when I found this forum, and when I read all the descriptions of similar problems that seemed to have no explanation, I felt a sense of dread. After about 2 weeks of this sensation pretty much constant (it stopped a few times), I went to an ENT. He checked my nose and upper throat, they were fine. He sent me to do the barium swallow, it was fine. That very day, after coming home, I had the feeling much worse than before.
The ENT then referred me to a gastroenterologist. However, before making an appointment, something triggered the thought that this might be an allergy. Here is why: I developed a systemic reaction to barley grass (long story) about 13 years ago. Many years later, when I began drinking beer, I started getting strange puffiness and rash around my eyes. I finally realized it was the beer. When I stopped drinking it pretty much went away (not entirely). I’ve since learned that I am allergic to a variety of foods, but not wheat or dairy. However, here’s the kicker: during my summer vacation I drank some beer. At first it seemed I was “getting away with it.” So I kept it up (I’m not talking binge here--one to two beers in an evening if I had something to drink and not every night), including right up to the night before the barium swallow! After that test came out fine, I went home and really choked. I decided to go on a “liquid diet” for a few days (liquids seemed easier to swallow than solids), and give up all alcohol and wheat to see what happened. I survived on juice, yogurt, and milkshakes for 2 days. During that time, the symptoms went away. I then slowly added in everything else to my diet, including an occasional glass of wine, and I have not had the symptoms return. I’m convinced it was the beer. I have decided that food allergies are definitely not to be messed with. I have sent this message in the hope that it might help others who may also be suffering throat problems because of food allergies—try an elimination diet and see what happens.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Sep 25, 2006 12:00AM
, Sep 25, 2006 12:00AM
There can be many causes for a globus sensation (i.e. the feeling of something stuck in the throat).
Uncommonly, allergies may lead to this. More common reasons would be GERD, or an anatomical abnormality.
I would assume that the ENT considered tests such as a larygoscopy or an upper endoscopy by the GI to evaluate for more common causes.
A sinus CT can also be considered to look for post-nasal drip due to sinusitis.
If the tests are negative, testing for food allergies can be considered.
I would discuss these options with your personal physician.
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.
kevinmd_
Uncommonly, allergies may lead to this. More common reasons would be GERD, or an anatomical abnormality.
I would assume that the ENT considered tests such as a larygoscopy or an upper endoscopy by the GI to evaluate for more common causes.
A sinus CT can also be considered to look for post-nasal drip due to sinusitis.
If the tests are negative, testing for food allergies can be considered.
I would discuss these options with your personal physician.
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.
kevinmd_
Anyway, my last endoscopy in February showed a small (medium) hiatal hernia with some damage (Shotzky's rings). This may be due to a lot of acid causing the lining to get thicker. Anyway, last Friday I just had hiatal hernia surgery. I had some other tests, of course like the barium swallow. Anyway, last Friday, I had the surgery and today I went back to work for a half day. The surgery is no big deal. You just have to follow the special diet for awhile. You can get out and walk, do your regular chores, etc. They say they don't want you to lift more than 20 pounds for 6 weeks. I am thankful I had it done. I found a good gastroentrologist and one of the best bariatric surgeons in the Edmonds (Seattle) area. I will go out and walk 2 miles today after work.