A question for DUers with medical knowledge

[liberalhistorian]

For several weeks, I've been noticing increasing difficulty in swallowing and keeping food and drink down. It seems to take more and more water to wash food down and keep it down. I will now drink two or more large glasses of tea or water at mealtimes to wash/keep food down. I have to take smaller and smaller bites and chew more and more. It's as if I can feel something narrowing in my esophagus (sp?) or thereabouts, and I feel that something's not right. I've also been experiencing heartburn, and the feeling that food remnants and stomach juices are "stuck" in my throat, I can't get them down even with a lot of water. Does anyone know what this might be? Thanks in advance.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

1. See A Physician...

That's nothing to fool around with...

[liberalnurse]

2. Ditto.......

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

It's called dysphagia and can be a result of a stroke.

Are you hypertensive? Is it under control?

One way to get your food to go down is to touch your chin to your chest before swallowing.

It also sounds like you may have esophageal reflux.

Definitely see a doctor.

[supernova]

3. Yes, see a doc

as soon as you can.

[auntAgonist]

4. You need a DR right away.

nothing to fool with.

[EstimatedProphet]

5. It could be several things

Hiatal hernia
Stomach ulcer
Some sort of injury to the cardiac sphincter
Simply eating a poor diet, perhaps
Do you get acid reflux at night?
Your best bet is to see a gastroenterologist.

[sandnsea]

6. acid reflux

The little purple pill, IIRC. If you see your doctor soon, shouldn't be a major problem. Half my family has acid reflux, which sounds like what you've got. But I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on any of the internets.

[amandae]

7. Locking

DU is a very helpful place, but should not be used to seek medical advice. Please seek the advice of a doctor as soon as you can as this sounds like an emergency situation.

amandae
DU Moderator