How to tell if you have dysphagia?

Question

For at least a week every time i eat, when im in the middle to end of my meal i get a lot of congestion built up in my chest, and have to cough it out. the congestion seems quite heavy when i cough it out, but eventually after im done eating it goes away. When i drink fluids i feel as if i cannot breathe and drink at the same time or ill choke. I thought it may be just a cold but its been there for awhile now it seems. My voice is kind of "watery" i always have to clear it before i talk, and at first i thought it was maybe just a post nasal drip into my throat causing it but once again im not sick. i think i may have some type of dysphagia, but im not sure. its not severely affecting me yet so i dont really see a reason to go to the doctor. can it get worse? i know the best thing is to go to the doctor but advice here would be great.

thanks!

i am a 19 year old girl. so i havent had any type of stroke or anything like that, although i do frequently have heartburn.

Answer 1

I would agree with most of the answers posted here. I would suggest searching Yahoo answers for "dysphagia" there are some great response to other peoples questions about swallowing problems.
By the way a "wet" or gurgley voice does not indicate that liquid is going to you lungs, but does suggest that you are having trouble clearing the area above your vocal cords. Which in turn puts your respiratory system at risk.
Based upon the symptoms you described above I would recommend that you see an ENT. I suggest you go to the doctor, (if you are able to bypass your family physician and see a specialist without a percription) I would suggest going straight to the ENT to save yourself time. Good Luck

Answer 2

It sounds like there is a good chance you have some kind of dysphagia. If you have had a stroke or have anything going on neurologically, this may be the case. It's actually impossible to breathe and drink simultaneously...are you referring to the small breaths one takes between sips? I wonder if you are having a more difficult time "gulping" (large, quick, drinks) liquids than you used to. A "watery" sounding voice indicates some possible fluid in the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia. If you suspect you have dysphagia, they will have you do a barium swallow study. During this procedure, they will have you swallow various consistencies of food/liquid and see on an x-ray screen whether you are aspirating any into your lungs. It's painless, other than tasting a bit chalky. They may put you on a special diet and/or have you do exercises to strengthen your swallow.

Answer 3

See the link below: