Can cricopharyneal spasm effect food going into the esophagus?
147590
yes it can but it is very rare though
705363
There are problems that can crop up.  The biggest would be food or drink going down the wrong way.  Usually pain full and distressing but only rarely serious as the bodies natural defences tend to stop it quickly.\n\nThe biggest risk is probably from inhaling saliva especially if it is contaminated with gastric juice.   This can cause inhalation pneumonia but it is highly unlikely and if it did happen is likely to be mild.  Recommend that you avoid alcohol, or spicy food in the evening. \n\nTwo important things.  Firsts is common sense - if in any doubt about contamination of the bronchial tubes or lungs seek advice.\n\nSecondly - keep swallowing.  Repeated use of the muscles will strengthen them and may well act to restore more feeling and mobility.\n\nGood luck.
32068
sometimes this can be from to much caffine. if it is not a chest muscle spasming see a doctor to rule out anything serious.
759628
Hereditary is one cause.  She should go on a (ick) bland diet.  Keep Pepcid AC or Tums around.  Looking at it through an endoscope is going to find out where exactly the hernial is on the esophagus. Surgery on an esophageal hernia, in other words to fix it, can be very dangerous and is usually not recommended.
219182
Eosinophilic esophagitis is a recently and increasingly recognized disorder in adults. It is characterized clinically by dysphagia, often accompanied by food impaction. An allergic history or asthma is not an uncommon accompanying historical feature. Often, the history of dysphagia dates to adolescence. Characteristically, endoscopy reveals evidence of a long narrowing beneath a proximal stenosis or stricture of the esophagus, a corrugated or ringed appearance, or a generalized narrow appearance of the esophagus. Frank esophagitis is not part of the macroscopic endoscopic picture of eosinophilic esophagitis. After dilation of the esophagus, it is not uncommon to see "fracturing" of the mucosa that can be alarmingly long and deep. Severe chest pain following dilation is not unusual with this disease. All of these endoscopic features are very suggestive of a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis, but are not diagnostic. The diagnosis is made by the finding of increased eosinophils in the mucosa on an endoscopic biopsy specimen. The degree of eosinophilic infiltration "diagnostic" of eosinophilic esophagitis has not been determined, and has been observed to be quite variable.\n\nThe currently recommended treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis is based on the hypothesis that this disorder represents an epithelial response to an antigen (allergic response). Thus, avoidance of foods that seem to cause esophageal symptoms, and use of antisecretory compounds (proton-pump inhibitors) and/or anti-inflammatory agents (fluticasone or montelukast) has been recommended on the basis of observational and uncontrolled experience. However, it is important to note that none of these therapies has ever been demonstrated as effective in improving outcomes in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis in randomized, controlled clinical trials, and thus, the recommendation for this treatment approach is based on theory and observation, not fact.\n\nAdditionally, the natural history of this disorder has not been well characterized, but appears to be marked by periods of spontaneous remission and exacerbations that are not linked to specific factors, although food allergies and exposure have been implicated.\n\nWithin the past few years, eosinophilic esophagitis has emerged from a medical curiosity to one that has received considerable attention in the literature. Several reasons might explain this interest. First, whereas this entity was considered mostly to be a problem of children, many more adults are being diagnosed with this disease. Second, it has also become clear that many of the cases of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children and young adults may in fact be eosinophilic esophagitis. Third, it has become an important etiology for several previously poorly understood processes in the past, including patients with unexplained dysphagia, small caliber and ringed esophagus, and part of the differential diagnosis of unexplained nausea and vomiting. Fourth, it has become another variant of allergic type disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the disease is of interest to gastroenterologists, and allergists and immunologists as well. In this article, available data on eosinophilic esophagitis are given with attention to the large body of more recent literature trying to better define all aspects of this curious entity.
47753
The esophagus connects the mouth and pharynx with the stomach. Thanks to peristaltic movements, processed food is taken into the stomach. In addition to the normal downward/inward food tranport, peristalsis may act in reversal in the case of vomit.
1019716
i have it. i have to take nexium for it...any acidy fruits like lemons, oranges, cherries, kiwis, are terrible. grapes, bananas, pears, apples(red) are good for it. pop and fruit juices are not that great. veggies are good, they are bland. but tomatoes are nt too good for it. and make sure he doesnt eat after 6 pm because since he has this it means that he doesnt digest as quickly as you and it will just sit there in his esophogas and he will be miserable......genler100@yahoo.com if u nd to know anything else...i feel for him...i go through this everyday.
961760
Are you talking about the esophagus?
101362
From WebMD:\n"Dietary and lifestyle choices may contribute to GERD. Certain foods and beverages, including chocolate, peppermint, fried or fatty foods, coffee, or alcoholic beverages, may weaken the LES causing reflux and heartburn. Studies show that cigarette smoking relaxes the LES. Obesity and pregnancy can also cause GERD."\n\nIf you have more questions about the doctor's diagnosis, ask the doctor or nurse in his office. Part of their job is to educate patients and families :-)
510343
yep, that's acid reflux - this is gonna sound crazy, but eat a couple marshmellows before bed. It'll create a layer that floats on the stomach acid an stops it from backing into ur throat.  Stay away from tomatoes, onions, chocolate, peppermint, and juices. Also, go see ur doctor. Acid Reflux can turn into Barret's Disease after awhile and raise ur risk of esophogial cancer.  There's some really good medications out there that will fix it right up.
965168
Absolutely.  And down the esophagus.  Can be very painful.  Makes swallowing very very difficult.  So if you are concerned about this see your dr.  You will need treatment.
818792
It sounds like the Prilosec isn't working, since a lump in the throat is actually a sign of acid reflux.  \n\nIn addition to the Prilosec, you need to be aware of the GERD triggers -- carbonated drinks, caffeine. sorbitol (aka, avoid sugarfee gum), etc.  I am on another GERD medication and have had to completely cut those elements from my life so I can function without continual throat clearing. I feel for you -- the lump in the throat issue is annoying, distracting, and somewhat depressing, since you are on a med which SHOULD be taking care of it.\n\nTalk to your doctor -- good luck!
226834
It's the valve in the throat that controls the airway to the lungs.  When you swallow it closes so the food doesn't go into the lungs.  I'm not 100% sure so double check me.
1173279
basically all answers are correct, more or less.  You're swallowing air, for sure, we all do.  But too much is coming back up, due to a bad stomach/esophagus junction, at least most likely.\n\nSmoking (all nictotine taken orally, yes gum too), alcohol, licorice, mint, caffeine reduce the competency of this junction.\n\nObesity increases the intra-abdominal fat content, and raises the pressure below the junction, tight cloths....\n\nThere may be a surgical situation, if new and "all the time".  Hernias through the diaphragm can occur due to vomitting/coughing/trauma that first show up as burping.  If chronically worsening, diseases such as achalasia chronically change the esophagus, complicated.\n\nWould need a good doc for the diagnosis.
595786
Go see your Doctor.  Sounds like your esophagus is really irritated.  Probably a severe case of GERD.
153102
There is a mental disorder that causes this but the name is escaping me at the moment. If you are asking because you know someone who does this get help! This can be treated but swallowing non edible objects can kill kids. Get help fast ok!
646677
It's okay, my friend, I'm a nurse who used to work Head & Neck surgery/Otolaryngology.  I used to prep patients for this procedure and explain to them what to expect and what kind of after-care to do.  You're going to have endoscopy with a laryngoscope (laryngoscopy).  It's a fiberoptic scope with a small diameter.  It doesn't go down the throat, just to the pharynx but the doctor will be able to see your vocal cords.  First he/she will spray inside your nose with lidocaine, a local anesthetic.  You'll taste it at the back of your throat.  Doesn't taste great but no big deal.  The scope will then be introduced through the nose to avoid triggering the gag reflex.  The worst you can expect is mild discomfort but no real pain.  The entire procedure takes no more than 2 minutes and will probably take less.  Afterward, avoid eating and drinking for about 30 min. to give the effects of the lidocaine time to wear off.  Some it will have dripped down your throat and may have numbed it a little and we want to be sure your gag reflex is fully intact.  And that's it.  If your doc's scope has video capability you'll be able to watch.  Cool!  If you have any other questions or concerns, e-mail me at nurselmh@sbcglobal.net.