Swallowing pills can be difficult

April 26, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My mother is 87 years old and has great difficulty swallowing pills. They get stuck in her throat, and she is so afraid of choking she would prefer not to take them at all, which is not an option because of her many medical conditions. Can you offer any guidance? Her entire family is terribly concerned.

DEAR READER: I do have a few recommendations that might get her back on track. Your mother should take her pills at a time when she doesn’t feel she is under stress. She should be relaxed and assisted by a single family member or appropriate person with whom she feels comfortable. Don’t perform the task if everyone is gathered around, coaxing her on. [Read more...]

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Swallowing problem leaves man puzzled

February 15, 2008 By

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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