Pain in throat while swallowing

Sore throat and painful swallowing can have many causes. Viral and bacterial infections, allergies, acid reflux, and environmental irritants are all potential causes of throat pain. When to See a Doctor for Throat Pain If your sore throat lasts more than a week and you do not know its cause, see a doctor. Your doctor will need to rule out serious conditions that might lead to dangerous health problems. It is hard to tell the difference between bacterial and viral throat pain. Strep throat can lead to serious complications if left untreated, so when in doubt, get tested. Almost any healthcare provider can perform a strep test. This includes family practitioners and urgent care providers. An Post-Nasal Drip A sore throat with post-nasal drip is rarely cause for concern. Still, if it lasts longer than a few weeks, you should see a doctor. Your family doctor is a good place to start, but you may also need to see an Many sore throats can be treated at home. If your throat pain lasts more than a week or it is hard to swallow or breathe, see a doctor. How Throat Pain is Diagnosed There are many different ways to diagnose throat pain. A doctor may examine you, look at your medical history, or order tests and/or imaging. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Warm, caffeine-free tea can help you stay hydrated. Try adding honey, pectin, or glycerin to your tea. These ingredients are called demulcents. There is limited research on their effectiveness, but they may help relieve irrita...

Some health conditions can make swallowing foods or liquids more difficult. Treatment can include therapy, medications, and dietary changes. Swallowing difficulty is the inability to swallow foods or liquids with ease. People who have a hard time swallowing may choke on their food or liquid when trying to swallow. Dysphagia is the medical name for difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia affects about Difficulty swallowing doesn‘t always indicate a medical condition. It may be temporary and go away on its own. According to the • Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid reflux symptoms are caused when stomach contents flow up from the stomach back into the esophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn, stomach pain, and burping. • Heartburn. Heartburn is a burning sensation in your chest that often occurs with a bitter taste in your throat or mouth. • Epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is characterized by inflamed tissue in your epiglottis. It’s a potentially life threatening condition. This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required. • Goiter. Your thyroid is a gland found in your neck just below your Adam’s apple. A condition that increases the size of your thyroid is called a goiter. • Esophagitis. Esophagitis is inflammation of the esophagus that can be caused by acid reflux or certain medications. • Esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer occurs when a malignant (cancerous) tumor forms in the lining of the esophagus, which can cause difficul...

Overview Esophageal spasms are painful contractions within the muscular tube connecting your mouth and stomach. This tube is called the esophagus. Esophageal spasms can feel like sudden, severe chest pain that lasts from a few minutes to hours. Some people may mistake it for heart pain, also called angina. Esophagus The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects your mouth and your stomach. Rings of muscle contract and relax to allow food and liquids to pass through the upper and lower portions. Symptoms of esophageal spasms include: • Squeezing pain in your chest. The pain is often intense, and you might mistake it for heart pain, also known as angina. • Difficulty swallowing solids and liquids, sometimes related to swallowing specific substances. Red wine or extremely hot or cold liquids are more common culprits. • The feeling that an object is stuck in your throat. • The return of food and liquids back up your esophagus, also called regurgitation. When to see a doctor The squeezing chest pain associated with esophageal spasms also can be caused by a heart attack. If you experience squeezing chest pain, seek immediate medical care. Causes It's not clear what causes esophageal spasms. However, they appear to be related to atypical functioning of nerves that control the muscles you use when you swallow. A healthy esophagus usually moves food into your stomach through a series of coordinated muscle contractions. Esophageal spasms make it difficult for the muscles in the wal...

Overview A cricopharyngeal spasm is a type of muscle spasm that occurs in your throat. Also called the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), the cricopharyngeal muscle is located at the top part of the esophagus. As part of your digestive system, the esophagus helps digest food and prevent acids from creeping up from the stomach. It’s normal for your cricopharyngeal muscle to contract. In fact, this is what helps the esophagus moderate food and liquid intake. A spasm occurs with this type of muscle when it contracts too much. This is known as a hypercontraction state. While you can still swallow drinks and food, the spasms can make your throat feel uncomfortable. With cricopharyngeal spasm, you will still be able to eat and drink. Discomfort tends to be highest in between beverages and meals. Symptoms can include: • choking sensations • feeling like something is tightening around your throat • sensation of a large object being stuck in your throat • a lump that you can’t swallow or spit out The symptoms of UES spasms disappear when you’re eating foods or liquids. This is because the related muscles are relaxed to help you eat and drink. Also, symptoms of cricopharyngeal spasm tend to get worse throughout the day. Anxiety about the condition can aggravate your symptoms, too. Cricopharyngeal spasms occur within cricoid cartilage in your throat. This area is located right at the top of the esophagus and at the bottom of the pharynx. The UES is responsible for preventing anything,...