Why Do I Have Difficulty Swallowing Food and Liquids?

[@melissanickell1892]

So appreciate both of you. Learned a lot.

[@ncwalker47]

Great video. Describes exactly what I have problem with not daily but occasionally…I have discovered that a magnet held on my throat chest area seemed to relax the esophagus so I could get the food and water back up.. after the endoscopy my dr doubled my medicine. So haven’t had problem since. So this explains why I need medicine even tho I didn’t have acid reflux…thank you I look forward to watching more videos.

[@corymorris798]

Have you ever had a swallow study.

[@Emacosa]

I couldn't even swallow the Water so I stopped eating and drinking really scary!! Now I try to be more mindful when I'm eating drinking

[@GastroGirl]

Hi and thank you for sharing your experience. While we cannot provide medical advice, we do recommend you consult with your healthcare provider as trouble swallowing is not normal and something you should have checked out. Please see our episodes on eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), which is a chronic, allergic inflammatory disease of the esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach). It occurs when a type of white blood cell, the eosinophil, accumulates in the esophagus. The elevated number of eosinophils cause injury and inflammation to the esophagus. This damage may make eating difficult or uncomfortable, potentially resulting in poor growth, chronic pain, and/or difficulty swallowing. Sources: APFED apfed.org/about-ead/egids/eoe/ Gastro Girl Health Hub fgastrogirl.com/health_hub/eosinophilic-esophagitis/ Cleveland Clinic my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14321-eosinophilic-esophagitis

[@LynO5392]

I struggle with swallowing food, water and saliva. Not always but often. It’s very scary. Just waiting on the biopsy

[@clementamanor2817]

I had both of those tests. They did not find anything. My food gets stuck & then I pass out. Please help

[@BrandonPotter-r9b]

I’m hoping to get in with 1 of 3 gi motility specialists soon . So I can redo the test I had in 2017 and 2020 . I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Have a 50% ineffective esophageal motility disorder as of 2017. I have bolus and pharyngeal issues too. With gastroparesis

[@GastroGirl]

Thank you for sharing your health journey. Hope your upcoming appointments go well and you are able to get in to a GI motility specialist soon.

[@BrandonPotter-r9b]

@ thanks I am part of the dysphagia duo KZbin channel and fb group and an esophageal motility group they have a membership program for members with dysphagia . It’s a dietitian and speech pathologist are doing it they have videos for meal preparation.

[@GastroGirl]

@@BrandonPotter-r9b fantastic. Sounds like a helpful resource.

[@corymorris798]

As an adult with a feeding tube I have not been able to find any support for my situation. I struggle with eating orally because of dysphagia. I have trouble eating large portions. Even pills are difficult Most sites or support services are specifically designed for children or the caregivers of infants. I feel like an outcast and it’s hard to find any good resources. I am a 33 year old male who was diagnosed with drug resistant right temporal lobe epilepsy. Then recently I was diagnosed with a rare seizure genetic disorder called VPS13A. I have struggled with uncontrollable weight loss. I have been using a g tube for over 6 months and have been struggling to gain or maintain my weight . i am currently on a very vigorous diet and I’m not sure if I can continue to do it without results. I have a follow up with my doctor to discuss my options and I don’t know how to explain that I am exhausted..

[@melissanickell1892]

So sorry to hear that you are having trouble finding good support. Hang in there, prayers for you.

[@bencarreiro7115]

I have been subconsciously drinking after every bite of food for an unknown amount of time.. at least 9 years, my wife noticed it when we had been dating for a while when we would go out to eat. I would actually stop eating until I was able to get another drink. Currently going to GI specialist because of big change in my ability to swallow anything, i get very tired in the throat. Waiting for appointments, my primary care suggested to slow down and small bites.. he was leaning achalasia but my son does have EOE so i am curious now...

[@GastroGirl]

Thank you for sharing your story. Great to hear you are recognizing the possible symptoms of EoE and going to the GI. Let us know how you are doing.

[@LynO5392]

I just had a biopsy for EoE last Thursday. I’ve been struggling to swallow since April 2024. I had to give up the supplements because they got stuck in my throat. I tried to cut them smaller but the edges were sharp. I wake up in the middle of the night with violent dry heaves. I have an empty stomach so no vomiting. There was no narrowing of my esophagus but there was banding? I’m not sure I understand the notes. One thing I’ve noticed is that my husband finishes eating now way before me. So confusing

[@GastroGirl]

Thank. you for sharing your story. If you don't understand the notes, you have every right to ask your healthcare provider to explain them to you. Did the doctor provide a definitive diagnosis of EoE?

[@LynO5392]

@ he called and said it came back negative for eoe. I have my follow up appointment in February. It all takes so long.

[@Emacosa]

Can you tell us best SUPPLEMENTS For a healthy ESOPHAGUS? to REVERSE possible SCARRING and INFLAMMATION in ESOPHAGUS?? Thanks

[@GastroGirl]

Hi, thank you for your question. We cannot provide medical advise or advise on treatments. Please consult your healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and treatment of your condition. see above reply to your other post :)

[@richardreyes6119]

But what does the dr do… to help it

[@rose-kz2yb]

3 years ago my son choked on a hot dog till this day feels like meat is stuck

[@GastroGirl]

Hi Rose and thank you for posting. As noted by the experts on our related episodes, food getting stuck and trouble swallowing are not normal. Please see the resources below for more info and please consult if your son is a minor (or encourage your son) to consult a healthcare provider to rule out EoE or another condition. APFED apfed.org/about-ead/egids/eoe/ Gastro Girl Health Hub fgastrogirl.com/health_hub/eosinophilic-esophagitis/ Cleveland Clinic my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14321-eosinophilic-esophagitis

[@Emacosa]

What!!! A pea

[@GastroGirl]

Yes. This persons esophagus become so narrow due to undiagnosed and untreated EoE, that the disease progressed so much that the esophagus become so narrow that a pea got stuck. This is a good example of why it is important to seek medical care when a person has symptoms, such as trouble swallowing or food getting stuck, etc.