HomeAnswersMedical GastroenterologyesophagitisI am unable to swallow food without water. Why?

I am able to swallow food only with gulps of water. Is this is a serious issue?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Sandeep V. Nair

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At December 2, 2020
Reviewed AtDecember 2, 2020

Patient's Query

Yesterday night suddenly could not swallow food and threw up the gulp of food that refused to go down, could only swallow a few sips of water after and constantly felt a choking sensation. Have felt the sensation and swallowing anything except liquids or soft solids is near impossible, can only swallow well chewed food if followed by a gulp of water. Feel extreme anxiety before trying to swallow anything since then and fear of choking and food possibly going down the wrong pipe (it hasn’t until now). It has been 24 hours since I first had this issue. Am unable to immediately go to the hospital. Please help

Hi

First of all do not panic. I need to know a few more things.

1.Whether you have ingested any caustic substance such as too acidic or too alkaline prior to your present illness?

2.Whether you remember any fish bone or any other hard food substance that may have stuck in your food pipe?

3.Whether you had such problems for a long time with mild intensity in the oast but has worsened now?

If all the answers to the above questions are no then what you are having is probably a disease affecting the movement of food bolus through the food pipe( also called esophagus). You may have a small erosion or inflammation in the lower end of esophagus(food pipe) which is causing the discomfort. It is called esophagitis. Please continue to take liquids or semi-solid food items only. Do not take too hot or too cold food.Both can increase the discomfort. You can take syrups used for heart burn like Gaviscon liquid or digene,whichever is available in your nearby store. If the situation persists and does not improve ,do visit a Gastroenterologist for Endoscopy. Please feel free to clarify. Take care. Regards.

Patient's Query

Could this be anything serious?

Are all the answers No? If any of them is Yes then you should consult a doctor immediately.

Patient's Query

All answers are no

then do not worry...Its not serious. Try taking Gaviscon or Digene liquid and see.You will feel better

Patient's Query

Why was this so sudden? There is no pain throughout the gut but it feels like it is paralyzed. (I’m consulting for my wife) she feels as though she has forgotten how to swallow when she has something in her mouth which is why she is afraid that it may go down the trachea. Nothing has gone into the trachea until now

It is hard to explain.If the symptoms remain or if you feel the symptoms are progressing then visit a doctor

Patient's Query

The symptoms have remained for 24 hours now Are you sure this is nothing serious? How long do you think it will take to go away?

Has she not eaten or swallowed anything in the past 24 hours? Is there any drooling of saliva ??

Patient's Query

She has been able to have liquids and yogurt without much issue at all, liquids have not really been a problem. But she cannot swallow well chewed food without a gulp of water to push it down. She had a light portion of dinner this way and ate slowly and carefully and forced each bite down with water. There is no drooling of saliva

If she can not swallow chewed food without water then you consult a physician. It might even be a Neurological problem. So let the physician clinically examine and he will decide whether she requires endoscopy or not.

Patient's Query

The soonest she will be able to see a physician is probably tomorrow. Is there anything that can be done to give her relief until then?

Continue Liquid diet. Gaviscon liquid three times daily. Avoid dry foods like biscuits, bread etc.

Patient's Query

Okay. She has also taken anti anxiety medicine and has gone to sleep since they have started acting, can we expect some relief with those?

Dont worry. you too go to sleep. everything will be allright. goodnight

Patient's Query

Thank you. One last question for now, she is afraid of it being cancer, is cancer a concern or a possible cause for this?

no

Patient's Query

Hi, can sinutab extra strength (red) be taken on an empty stomach? She is nauseous due to her period that began today and has thrown up the liquidized dinner she had

it is not advisable to take that tab empty stomach

Patient's Query

Okay any painkiller she can take on an empty stomach?

paracetamol 500mg

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sandeep V. Nair

Dr. Sandeep V. Nair

Medical Gastroenterology

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