Why can't I swallow correctly? My life is ruined completely??

Question

For god knows how long, ever since I was like 9 or 10, I've had this weird swallowing issue. It feels like I can't swallow things that are solid. When I eat, I have to add a liquid in my mouth to liquefy it. And even then it's still had to swallow, but it's manageable to get down. I just went out to eat with my friend and it was so embarrassing. Not only did I take forever to finish, but I had so much food stuffed in my mouth that I couldn't just swallow. I had to literally mush it all around and she was just looking like "Wtf r u OK". A long time ago, in 8th grade, I went to the doctors for this exact problem. They diagnosed me with dysphagia, but that was based on symptoms I told them, they done no tests yet..so then they did an x-ray while.making me swallow thick liquid, normal, then they literally put a camera down my throat, and said everything was normal, but if everything is normal...why can't I swallow still? It's been so long and I hate eating in public and I get sad because I always think about this problem and the future. Like a dinner date with someone, or even domestic life with a partner and us eating together. It's horrible and I'm so worried. I forgot what it feels like to swallow something solid and every time I see someone do it, I'm just like "How?????".

Harrald · Answer

I have a similar swallowing problem where I can gag swallowing dry pills. You may have a high-gag reflex like me. I crush dry pills in a pill- cutter then transfer the broken pieces into a "00"size empty capsule(www.vitacost.com). Plan ahead what you expect to eat at home and mash or crust pieces into smaller pieces and chew. While my dental implants inside my jaw were seating, I sometimes ate baby food because the food was puree. Next visit to a supermarket or pharmacy, look for baby food and investigate and buy one food and determine whether you like it.

I also have a problem with my epiglottis, the tissued, "trap-door" that covers your windpipe when you eat or drink, and I must cough or clear-my-throat to force open the epiglottis. I was eating in public and became choked and had to apply the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the food. At least 100 watched me perform the maneuver on myself and clapped, but it took me a year to return to eating in public.

harrald

transparency · Answer

You would be an awful lover.

zafir · Answer

It seems that you are putting too much in your mouth and not chewing your food properly As you said 'I had so much food stuffed in my mouth' - why? All food should be chewed into mush before swallowing, trying to swallow unchewed food will cause problems - it gets stuck! So, take smaller mouthfuls and chew your food well and you should get over this problem. And never take a drink while you have good in your mouth, it's not only extremely bad manners but can cause you to choke!

Trending News

Why can't I swallow correctly? My life is ruined completely??

3 Answers