Swallowing Problems?

Question

My mom has this thing where when she swallows food, especially meat, and its not too large of a piece...it gets stuck, it wont transfer from her esophagus into her stomach. she spends on average an hour trying to get her food to go down. It doesnt happen all the time, it goes in spurts. what is causing this and how can she make it stop?

Answer 1

There are a few possibilities ranging from serious to easily treated. Because cancer of the esophagus is so deadly she should be checked out by a doctor. Many many people though have a narrow esophagus and can actually have a procedure done to stretch it.

Answer 2

Swallowing problems in adults could caused by several different things - a few of the common causes are: a pouch forms from a tear in the esophagus and traps food; the esophagus is getting pinched off from an enlarged thyroid gland, tumor, or cyst; or something is wrong with the nerves or muscles that control swallowing. There probably isn't anything your mom can do on her own to stop this. A person should see a doctor if swallowing problems develop.

Answer 3

Maybe she needs to chew longer (im not being a smart you know what by the way.) Or she could need an esophogus stretch, yes this is a real procedure. I know of a few people who were having trouble and had it done. And also I have read that trouble swallowing can be due to stomach problems and also sadly esophgus cancer. I think her best bet is too see a doctor a.s.a.p. just too rule out the cancer, and to also get relief.

Answer 4

It could be a hiatal hernia. This is a funny bulge in the esophagus where food can get caught. She should go to the doctor and get it checked out.

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

could range from a possible thyriod problem to early signs of stroke, depending on her overall health eg. weight, age, cholesterol, any med history recorded? best see a doc asap cos never worth the risk or loss of sleep.

Answer 7

The swallowing tract extends from the mouth to the stomach. The act of swallowing normally occurs in three phases. In the first phase, food or liquid is contained in the mouth by the tongue and palate (oral cavity). This phase is the only one we can control.

The second phase of swallowing begins when the brain makes the decision to swallow. At this point, a complex series of reflexes begin. The food is thrust from the oral cavity into the throat (pharynx). At the same time, two other events occur: A muscular valve at the bottom of the pharynx opens, allowing food to enter the swallowing tube (esophagus), and other muscles close the airway (trachea) to prevent food from entering the airways. This second phase of swallowing takes less than half a second.

The third phase of swallowing begins when food enters the esophagus. The esophagus, which is about nine inches long, is a muscular tube that produces waves of coordinated contractions (peristalsis). As the esophagus contracts, a muscular valve at the end of the esophagus opens and food is propelled into the stomach. The third phase of swallowing takes six to eight seconds to complete.

Thus, swallowing is a very complex act, requiring the normal function of the brain, several nerves and muscles, and two muscular valves, as well as an open, unconstricted esophagus.

A wide range of diseases can impair swallowing, including:



Disturbances of the brain, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease).
Oral or pharynx muscle dysfunction (such as from a stroke).
Loss of sphincter muscle relaxation (termed "achalasia").
Esophageal narrowing (such as from acid reflux or tumors).

Normally, individuals rarely choke during a meal. Occasionally, food will stick in the esophagus for a few seconds (especially solid foods) but will pass spontaneously or can be washed down easily with liquids. However, there are a number of symptoms that require evaluation for a possible swallowing problem, including:

Frequent choking on food
Hesitancy in food passage for more than a few seconds
Pain when swallowing
Recurring pneumonia (an indication that food may be going into the lungs rather than the esophagus)
Urgent evaluation by a doctor is required when food becomes lodged in the esophagus for more than 15 minutes and will not pass spontaneously or with liquids.

Some people are unaware that they have swallowing problems because they compensate unconsciously by choosing foods that are easier to eat, or they eat more slowly. They are at risk for choking or having large pieces of solid food lodge in the esophagus if they let down their guard.

Your doctor will decide which phase of swallowing needs to be tested and order appropriate tests after asking questions to determine the details of your swallowing symptoms and previous medical problems, as well as performing an appropriate physical examination. Three tests are most commonly used to evaluate a swallowing problem:

Cineradiography. An imaging test in which a movie camera is used to film the images of internal body structures. The patient swallows a barium preparation (liquid or other form that lights up under X-ray) and an X-ray machine with videotaping capability is used to view its movement through the esophagus. This is often performed under the guidance of a speech pathologist, an expert in swallowing as well as speech.
Upper endoscopy: A flexible, narrow tube (endoscope) is passed into the esophagus and projects images of the inside of the pharynx and esophagus on a screen for evaluation.
Manometry: This test measures the timing and strength of esophageal contractions and muscular valve relaxations.
The form of treatment will depend on the type of swallowing problem a person has. Sometimes, the problem will resolve itself without treatment. On other occasions, the condition can be managed easily, such as by using a special tool called an esophageal dilator to stretch an esophagus narrowed from acid reflux. However, the problem may be complex, requiring a specialist or the coordination of several specialists.

If you have a chewing or swallowing problem there are several things you can do to make eating and drinking easier and safer, including:

Positioning

Sit upright at a 90-degree angle.
Tilt your head slightly forward.
Remain sitting upright or standing for 15 to 20 minutes after eating a meal.
Dining environment

Minimize distractions in the area where you eat.
Stay focused on the tasks of eating and drinking.
Do not talk with food in your mouth.
Amount and rate

Eat slowly.
Cut your food into small pieces and chew it thoroughly.
Do not try to eat more than 1/2 teaspoon of your food at a time.
Swallowing

You may need to swallow two or three times per bite or sip.
If food or liquid catches in your throat, cough gently or clear your throat, and swallow again before taking a breath. Repeat if necessary.
Concentrate on swallowing frequently.
Saliva management

Drink plenty of fluids.
Periodically suck on Popsicles, ice chips or lemon ice, or drink lemon-flavored water to increase saliva production, which will increase swallowing frequency.
Food consistency

Minimize or eliminate foods that require chewing and eat more soft foods.
Puree your food in a blender.
If thin liquids cause you to cough, thicken them with a liquid thickener (your speech pathologist can recommend one for you). You can also substitute thicker liquids for thin ones, such as nectar for juice and cream soup for plain broth.
Taking medications

Crush your pills and mix them with applesauce or pudding.
Ask your pharmacist for his or her recommendations on which pills should not be crushed and which medications can be purchased in a liquid form

Answer 8

wtf... call a doctor..