HomeAnswersMedical Gastroenterologysigmoid diverticulosisWhy do I feel like food gets stuck in my stomach?

Food gets stuck while entering my stomach. Why is it happening?

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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.

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Published At December 29, 2015
Reviewed AtJuly 21, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Whenever I eat, the food gets stuck while entering the stomach. I have to drink water to flush it down. Sometimes, I am not able to swallow the water also. I have to throw up to breathe. Why is it happening? Please help.

Answered by Dr. Babu Lal Meena

Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for your reply. I did not go to a clinic yet as I have been trying an alkaline diet. But, it has not improved my condition. I would like to explain more about my issue. I have had digestion problem more than 3 years which I believe is connected to my kidney as since that time my right kidney is sometimes aching. Usually it occurs after I play football or any intense exercise. I think that as kidney pain because the pain is at the lower right back area and it usually aches only in the morning. The issue with my swallowing happens whenever I do not blend or liquidize my food. I have to put my fingers down my throat to throw up, otherwise I would not be able to breathe any longer. It gets really bad the next day after any sexual activity. For example if I ejaculate, then the next day it is really bad. I cannot digest any food even when it is broken down in a blender. How can this be connected to my digestion? Can loss of sperm cause even worse acidity? Last year, I went to a doctor and had blood and urine tests, also an ultrasound and barium meal x-ray esophagus, but they said everything were fine. I also have an issue that since many years I used to wake up with dry throat in the middle of night. I usually use bathroom about three times at random hours for urinating at night. I went for prostate tests which was also fine. So, I am still without a diagnosis. My stomach has actually been extra sensitive for several years, but the past 3 years it got worse. I do not smoke or drink alcohol. I exercise a little each day. My diet before was eggs, avocado, potatoes, fish, chicken, beef, coffee once a day and fruit shakes. But for the past two weeks, I am only having fruits and vegetables and some herbal pills as the local iridologist says my liver and colon needs cleansing. He told me to drink 3 liters of water a day for my kidney aching, I felt normal the first week but after the sexual activity it really messed me. I could not eat anything the next day and was almost choking and had to throw up to breathe. Kindly help with the diagnosis.

Answered by Dr. Babu Lal Meena

Hi, Welcome back to icliniq.com.

  • It is good that you wrote in detail. In first instance, your stomach pain look like motility disorder of the esophagus or some peptic stricture of the esophagus that is leading to choking of food.
  • But, I wonder that you had problem in breathing so there might be some connection in between trachea and esophagus due to some fistula that is leading to such problem.
  • Anyway, right now we need a repeat barium study of esophagus and stomach to rule out both the causes.
  • The pain in back is probably spasm of muscles due to excessive exercise.
  • If there is no abnormality in barium study, then an endoscopy is mandatory in your case. We cannot wait, because you may face more and more problem and may have mental stress worsen.
  • Get back to me with the reports and picture of the barium film. Provide details of the bowel habits and measure your 24 hour urine volume in a day.

Investigations to be done

1. Barium study esophagus and stomach. 2. CBC (Complete blood count). 3. LFT (liver function test). 4. Ca or PO4 (calcium or phosphate). 5. Urine routine examination and urine specific gravity.

Treatment plan

1. Tablet Lansoprazole 40 mg twice a day. 2. Take liquid and semi-solid diet.

Regarding follow up

Revert back with the investigation reports to a medical gastroenterologist online.---> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/medical-gastroenterologist

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I had a gastroscopy and was found to have esophagitis, gastritis and excess bile. He gave me a prescription which I have attached. He advised me to have the medicine continuously for the next two months and to repeat the scan.

Answered by Dr. Babu Lal Meena

Hi, Welcome back to icliniq.com.

  • It is good that you are done with your endoscopy. Esophagitis and gastritis may be due to many causes, but most common is acid reflux in esophagus.
    • Yes, these medicines we prescribe in such cases. You can continue with the medicines.

Investigations to be done

HIV test.

Treatment plan

1. Continue the same medicines. 2. If no improvement, then we will do barium esophagogram.

Regarding follow up

Revert back with the investigation report to a medical gastroenterologist online.---> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/medical-gastroenterologist

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Here are my result files. I will take a HIV test. I still have the issue with waking up thrice at night to urinate. I measured my 24 hours urine and each time it is about 200 ml. Laboratory tests are performed and I have attached the results. I am curious to know the outcome of my blood and urine test results. Please explain.

Answered by Dr. Babu Lal Meena

Hi, Welcome back to icliniq.com.

  • I have checked the reports. It is good that these are normal except endoscopic findings, that we have already discussed.
  • I hope that they have taken biopsies. You collect the reports.
  • Continue same medicines. As you have frequent urination problem, we also need to do ultrasound to look for size of prostate. This kind of problem can present with these symptoms.

Investigations to be done

1. Ultrasound to look for prostate volume. 2. HIV test.

Treatment plan

Continue same medicines.

Preventive measures

1. Avoid cold beverages or alcohol or spicy food or oily foods. 2. Do regular exercise. 3. Take more semisolid diet.

Regarding follow up

Revert back with the laboratory reports to a medical gastroenterologist online.---> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/medical-gastroenterologist

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have got the HIV test done today and the result was negative. I also went for an ultrasound and everything was found fine except the colon. Kidney, liver and prostate (18 cc) are fine. There is an issue with my colon which he suspects as sigmoid diverticulosis. He referred me to get a colonoscopy versus to verify it. The report shows compatible images are identified with uncomplicated diverticular in the sigmoid colon to 11 mm. Currently, it fails to demonstrate one diverticulum complicated. No free liquid was observed. He told me to eat a lot of fiber and drink lots of water. I also tested positive for Helicobacter pylori and I was given 10 days of medicine to clear it out. So, I still do not know the cause of the acidity and also the cause of my frequent visits to the bathroom four times at night. I am going to arrange an appointment for the colonoscopy. They did not take any biopsy yet. Do you recommend for that?

Answered by Dr. Babu Lal Meena

HI, Welcome back to icliniq.com.

  • It is good to hear that you are done with all your investigations.
  • If it is a diverticuli then colonoscopy is mandatory with barium x-ray. So, you get done investigation of barium and colonoscopy.
  • It is an usual practice to do biopsy during an endoscopy, if they find or suspect an abnormality.
  • Your previous barium esophagus was normal, but you have significant symptoms.
  • I have doubt about investigation and report, it should be done again. This time it should be done from a reputed center.

Investigations to be done

1. Barium esophagus. 2. Colonoscopy.

Treatment plan

Continue PPI (proton pump inhibitor) and soft diet.

Regarding follow up

Revert back with the reports to a medical gastroenterologist online.---> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/medical-gastroenterologist

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

Dr. Babu Lal Meena
Dr. Babu Lal Meena

Medical Gastroenterology

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