THROAT / DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING
Difficulty Swallowing Assessment in Bintulu, Sarawak
Assessment of food sticking, pain on swallowing and choking with consultant ENT surgeon Dr. Yasmin at Kemena Pacific Hospital.
WhatsApp the clinicWhat is difficulty swallowing?
Difficulty swallowing, called dysphagia, is a feeling that food or drink does not pass down easily. It can come from the mouth, throat or food pipe. Some causes are minor, but swallowing problems that keep happening or get worse should always be examined.
Symptoms
- Food sticking in the throat or chest
- Pain when swallowing
- Coughing or choking when eating or drinking
- Food or liquid coming back up
- Needing to swallow several times
- Unexplained weight loss
Common causes
- Throat reflux
- Throat infections
- A stuck fish bone or food
- Narrowing of the food pipe
- Nerve or muscle conditions, such as after a stroke
- Less commonly, a growth in the throat or food pipe
How Dr. Yasmin assesses swallowing problems
Dr. Yasmin examines the mouth, throat and voice box with a small camera in clinic. Depending on what she finds, she may arrange a barium swallow, scan or endoscopy of the food pipe. Treatment depends on the cause and may involve medicine, removal of a stuck object, or referral to a gastroenterologist or speech therapist.
When to see an ENT specialist
- Swallowing difficulty that is getting worse
- Food sticking repeatedly
- Pain on swallowing for more than two weeks
- Weight loss with swallowing problems
- A fish bone feeling that does not go away: see a doctor the same day
FAQs
Is difficulty swallowing serious?
It can be. Swallowing problems that persist or worsen, especially with weight loss, should be checked promptly.
What should I do if a fish bone is stuck?
Do not try to swallow rice or bread to push it down. See a doctor the same day so it can be removed safely.
Can reflux cause swallowing problems?
Yes. Reflux can irritate the throat and food pipe and make swallowing uncomfortable.