Swallowing issues

[Deb]

I sometimes have swallowing issues and wonder if it could be this?
http://www.king5.com/story/news/health/ ... /23122331/

[Polly]

Hi Deb,

That's the first I've heard of that. A more common cause of intermittent swallowing problems is dry mouth. Sjogren's syndrome (dry mouth) is an A.I disease that can go along with MC. It can cause intermittent problems with swallowing, choking, tingling of tongue, etc.

Polly

[tex]

Hi Deb,

If I recall correctly, we may have a couple of members who have been diagnosed with EE, but I can't recall who they are. EE appears to be associated with mast cell issues. In fact, I wonder if this might be another possible satellite (secondary) issue that can be associated with MC. Note that it is suspected (not proven) that T cells may be involved, and of course T cells could link back to MC (or other IBDs).

Mast cells linked to IgE, which are not found in other conditions, have been identified in EE. Despite that fact, an anaphylactic reaction history after exposure to allergens is not common in these patients. Therefore, the mast cells' function in EE could be dependent on T lymphocytes, as suggested by a mast cell gene expression analysis. Bi-directional crosstalk is established between mast cells and eosinophils, hence establishing interesting hypotheses regarding their relationship to EE physiopathology. Mast cells' function as an immune response leader seems to substitute for their effector functions in EE, while at the same time opening new research pathways for consideration of these cells as a therapeutic target in EE. However, the inefficiency of therapies that inhibit mast cell functions while they are effective in other respiratory tract diseases results in the need for specific studies to identify the real function of such complex cells in the physiopathology of EE.

The role of mast cells in eosinophilic esophagitis.

But as the article you cited points out:

Often the culprit is among the eight foods that cause about 90 percent of all food allergies in the United States: peanuts, tree nuts, cow's milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. Sometimes the symptoms are seasonal and related to pollen that easily gets inhaled and swallowed.

Have you tried avoiding all of those common allergens to see if that resolves the problem? We're having high pollen counts for elm and mountain cedar right now, but I would think that probably wouldn't be a problem in Minnesota in February.

In addition to what Polly suggested, hiatal hernias are somewhat common, and they can cause swallowing difficulties, the feeling of a lump in the throat, etc.

Tex

[Summer S]

Deb,
I have had swallowing issues, always with rice, to the point where I avoid it now. It would get stuck and I couldn't even wash it down, had to stick my finger down my throat to regurgitate it up. I heard it can part of GERD. I didn't know I had it as I have never felt heartburn.
Now my swallowing issues are due to gastric band, wish I never got the damned thing.
Summer

[Sheila]

Swallowing issues run in my family. My mother had MC and, undoubtedly, celiac. I remember her jumping up and running into the bathroom to try to get the food up out of her esophagus. In later years, she had her esophagus stretched and that helped her. With me and my siblings, the culprit is usually meat. I takes small bites and always have water (or wine) on hand. I mentioned this swallowing problem to my chiropractor and he worked on my neck for a couple of months. Since then I've had fewer problems. I was recently diagnosed with Sjögren's and that undoubtedly contributes to my difficulties. All of these immune system issues are probably connected.

If I remember to take small bites, chew thoroughly, sip water, swallowing isn't an issue.

Sheila W

[Deb]

Thanks all. I am currently not experiencing issues. I am not in MN but in AL for the winter. It seems to happen periodically for a month or two, which makes me suspect allergens and Sheila, like you, it is usually meat but generally only in the morning. I will further research Sjogren's. My PCP at Mayo wasn't overly concerned.... possibly just slowed motility but would check further if it continued to be an issue. Deb

[tex]

Deb,

Cedar, Oak, and Ash pollen is normally high in March in Alabama, but depending on the weather, that can occur early or later. Mountain cedar usually pollinates during the winter (from late December on).

Tex