I have pain while swallowingDear Doctor;For the last three days, I have been experiencing a lot of pain while swallowing. I have tried common painkillers but they are not helping. What is causing this? Frank, 25.Dear Frank, Painful swallowing can have a number of causes, including infections, conditions specific to the esophagus (tube connecting your mouth to your stomach), and mechanical obstructions, such as food or something caught in your throat. The act of swallowing involves several organs of the digestive system, including the mouth, throat, pharynx and esophagus. It begins during mastication, or chewing of food, which is part of mechanical digestion. Your saliva contains enzymes that break down or emulsify food into a soft mass that can travel down the esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach. Swallowing is partly voluntary, occurring at your command, and partly involuntary, controlled by muscles and nerves.Problems during any stage of this process can cause painful or difficult swallowing. The pain may occur in your throat, chest or neck. You may feel pressure, heaviness, or the sensation of choking. It can also result in regurgitation or vomiting. Painful swallowing can indicate a serious problem. Seek immediate medical care if you experience painful swallowing accompanied by difficulty breathing, choking or vomiting.Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly. If someone is choking, immediately perform the Heimlich maneuvour. You may have an easier time swallowing liquids or pureed foods than solids. Avoid very cold or very hot foods if you notice that they make your symptoms worse.How do I care for teething baby?Dear Doctor;I am a first-time mother. My baby seems to be teething and cries a lot nowadays. She also has high fever and like biting almost anything that comes close to her mouth. How can I help her through this stage, especially the nightly crying sessions? Vicky, 23.Dear Vicky, Teething in toddlers can mimic an ear infection, so to tell the difference you should determine whether the pain seems to come and go or continues to get worse. If it gets worse then you should get your child checked out by your doctor as it might be an ear infection. Another indicator is a fever, if it is constant and climbing rather than low-grade then suspect an ear infection and call the doctor. This is a trying moment for your baby. Teething is painful and leaves the gums inflamed and irritable. Your baby will need a lot of tender loving care during this time. For evenings, ensure she takes some painkillers such as Cetamol of baby panadol to be able to sleep better.Watch for telltale signs of teething such as bright red cheeks, low fever, unusual irritability, and changes in nursing, feeding or sleeping patterns. Also look for inflamed gums, a mild rash around the mouth or an unexpected diaper rash.Cuddle or nurse your baby even more than usual ‘ she may be looking for extra comfort. Try and massage her gums with your fingertip, if she lets you ‘ many babies enjoy this, and it helps to ease the pain. Also, you can dampen some washcloths and freeze them, then offer them to your child to chew on. Get some teething toys that you can store in the fridge or freezer. Provide cool, icy drinks to soothe your child’s gums, if she is old enough for drinks other than breast milk or formula.Clean the area around your child’s mouth with a tissue or warm washcloth if she is drooling a lot; this will help prevent the “drool rash” that often accompanies teething.Get some homeopathic teething tablets or liquid; many families find that these preparations help ease their children’s discomfort. Or, find some topical teething gel ‘ this numbs the gums and tongue, so it should be used sparingly. You may also be able to get a natural version made with clove oil.Offer children’s acetaminophen or another pain reliever approved by your doctor or pharmacist if your child is in severe pain.
