DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 75-year-old male in reasonably good health. The reason I am writing is to relate a series of events that still puzzle me.

About eight years ago, after taking a bite of salad at a backyard barbeque, I felt a pain. It was in the upper center area of my chest and felt as if a muscle in my esophagus had constricted and would not allow the food to continue its passage to my stomach. My breathing was not affected but my speech was. It was hoarse, raspy and very weak. There was also some nausea while the muscle spasm continued.

Someone told me to drink some water to “wash it down” but it only added to the discomfort. I decided not to do anything else and waited for the sensation to pass. About 10 minutes later, the symptoms slowly disappeared and I was able to finish eating as though nothing had happened.
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