Esophagus, Otolaryngology FAQ

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Understanding Water Inhalation: Symptoms and Risks Explained

Drinking Water Issues When drinking water, it flowed into my throat before I even started swallowing. I'm unsure whether it went into my esophagus or trachea, so I've combined these unusual circumstances into this question. About five minutes after the incident, I felt ...


Dr. Ji Zhaoyun Reply:
Hello, when water or other liquids accidentally enter the trachea (also known as aspiration), the body typically exhibits some obvious responses to try to clear the foreign substance. Here are some possible symptoms and reactions: ### Immediate Reactions 1. **Coughing**: This is...

[Read More] Understanding Water Inhalation: Symptoms and Risks Explained


Should You Follow Up on a Persistent Throat Sensation?

Does the sensation of a foreign body in the throat require follow-up? Three months ago, I suddenly experienced a severe sensation of a foreign body in my throat (esophagus) that made me feel like I couldn't swallow and caused discomfort for over two weeks. I felt as if my en...


Dr. Zheng Jueyi Reply:
If you are asymptomatic, you can start with self-monitoring. However, if symptoms recur, it is advisable to return to the gastroenterology and otolaryngology departments for further examination and follow-up.

[Read More] Should You Follow Up on a Persistent Throat Sensation?


Choking on Food: Understanding Risks and When to Seek Help

Choking on food? I was eating and accidentally breathed through my mouth while still having food in it, which seems to have caused a small piece of food that I had chewed to get sucked into my throat. I'm not sure if it went into my trachea or esophagus. My first reaction wa...


Dr. Zheng Jueyi Reply:
Hello, the likelihood of foreign objects entering the trachea is low when there is a normal cough reflex. However, if there are persistent symptoms such as a continuous cough or fever, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation for confirmation.

[Read More] Choking on Food: Understanding Risks and When to Seek Help


Understanding Throat Foreign Body Sensation: Causes and Solutions

Sensation of a foreign body in the throat? Hello Doctor, on the night of July 8th, while eating fish, I felt something scratch my throat, which was painful. When I woke up in the morning, I noticed discomfort on the right side of my throat. I visited a clinic where the doctor sai...


Dr. Ji Zhaoyun Reply:
Based on your detailed description, your symptoms include sore throat, a sensation of a foreign body, difficulty swallowing, elevated body temperature, loss of appetite, fatigue, chest tightness, as well as abdominal pain and diarrhea. These symptoms may be caused by various fact...

[Read More] Understanding Throat Foreign Body Sensation: Causes and Solutions


Understanding White Foamy Sputum: Causes and Concerns in ENT Health

White frothy sputum Hello, doctor. About six months ago, an X-ray revealed that I had phlegm accumulation in my lungs. The doctor prescribed antibiotics, and I improved significantly. However, after a recent cold, I have been experiencing an increased amount of phlegm regardless ...


Dr. Ji Zhaoyun Reply:
Hello, thank you for providing a detailed description of your symptoms. Based on your description, you have recently experienced a significant amount of foamy white sputum, which may be related to various factors. Here are some possible causes and recommendations, but please be s...

[Read More] Understanding White Foamy Sputum: Causes and Concerns in ENT Health


Understanding Throat Discomfort and Associated Symptoms: A Guide

A sensation of something being stuck in the throat between the clavicle and the Adam's apple? Hello Doctor: My current symptoms, listed in order of severity, are as follows: 1. A sensation of something stuck in my throat - occasionally accompanied by feelings of nausea or qu...


Dr. Zheng Jueyi Reply:
Hello, symptoms such as sore throat, dizziness, and tinnitus can be evaluated by an otolaryngologist. These symptoms are often associated with chronic pharyngitis or anxiety. Whether muscle relaxants are needed should be determined by a clinical physician after an examination; se...

[Read More] Understanding Throat Discomfort and Associated Symptoms: A Guide


Persistent Throat Discomfort and Brown Mucus: Possible Causes and Solutions

Sore throat with brownish, stringy (or small clumpy) phlegm? Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing a persistent sensation of something stuck in my throat along with phlegm for nearly two months. The phlegm does not resemble the typical yellow or green color seen in common colds;...


Dr. Ji Zhaoyun Reply:
Hello, based on the symptoms you described, you have undergone a series of evaluations, including assessments from otolaryngology, pulmonology, and gastroenterology, and it has been found that you have moderate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Here are some possible causes...

[Read More] Persistent Throat Discomfort and Brown Mucus: Possible Causes and Solutions


Persistent Throat Tightness and Foreign Body Sensation: Causes and Solutions

Persistent throat tightness and the sensation of a foreign body? Hello doctor, six weeks ago I performed a neck stretching maneuver too forcefully, which caused me to feel nauseous and experience difficulty breathing for about three minutes. After that, the symptoms subsided, but...


Dr. Li Jiaxuan Reply:
Mucosal damage caused by throat strain may take two to three weeks to heal. If symptoms do not improve, further examination is recommended. Wishing you good health.

[Read More] Persistent Throat Tightness and Foreign Body Sensation: Causes and Solutions


Understanding Nasopharyngeal Issues: Antibiotics, GERD, and Mucus Color

Regarding nasopharyngeal issues? Hello Doctor: I have a history of sinusitis, so whenever I experience symptoms of a cold accompanied by sinusitis, I usually receive antibiotics from my ENT specialist, and I typically complete the course in about two weeks. Last September, after ...


Dr. Ji Zhaoyun Reply:
Hello, there are no absolute standard answers to your three questions. It is necessary to actually see the patient and provide recommendations based on their current condition. It is best to seek a direct consultation for an examination.

[Read More] Understanding Nasopharyngeal Issues: Antibiotics, GERD, and Mucus Color


Dealing with Food Aspiration: When to Seek Medical Attention

Choked on a grain of rice? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about an incident that occurred on Friday during dinner. While eating rice with soup, I accidentally inhaled some rice grains while trying to sip the soup, which caused me to cough. At that moment, I didn't feel t...


Dr. Zheng Jueyi Reply:
It is not recommended to drink hot water, as it can cause further swelling of the soft tissues in the throat, leading to a more pronounced sensation of foreign body presence. If discomfort persists, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation and treatment from an otolaryngologist...

[Read More] Dealing with Food Aspiration: When to Seek Medical Attention


Understanding Right Vocal Cord Paralysis: Causes, Diagnosis, and Recovery

Right vocal cord paralysis? Hello Dr. Cheng, On January 13, 2023, I visited a regional hospital in Yunlin due to a cold and cough. During the examination, the physician inadvertently discovered that my right vocal cord exhibited signs of paralysis using a nasal endoscope (my voi...


Dr. Zheng Jueyi Reply:
Hello, I agree with the second point regarding the clinical judgment of the two physicians. If there is improvement, outpatient follow-up observation can continue. Whether further examinations are needed should be determined by the clinical physician based on changes in symptoms.

[Read More] Understanding Right Vocal Cord Paralysis: Causes, Diagnosis, and Recovery


Swallowing Difficulties After COVID-19: When to Seek Medical Help

Swallowing difficulties Hello doctor, after being diagnosed with COVID-19, I have been experiencing increasing difficulty swallowing food. By the fourth day, I was unable to swallow solid food. I initially thought this was due to throat ulcers, but today (the eighth day) I still ...


Dr. Zheng Jueyi Reply:
It is recommended to visit an otolaryngologist and a gastroenterologist for examination.

[Read More] Swallowing Difficulties After COVID-19: When to Seek Medical Help


Understanding Throat Numbness and Breathing Issues After Choking

Respiratory issues Hello, doctor. Recently, I choked on some Sichuan peppercorns while biting into them, and they accidentally went down my throat. At that moment, I felt a numb sensation in my throat (previously, I had always bitten the peppercorns near my front teeth, which wou...


Dr. Zheng Jueyi Reply:
Hello, a common cause of throat muscle spasms that can lead to difficulty breathing is irritation, rather than a foreign object lodged in the throat. Therefore, the Heimlich maneuver is not appropriate in this situation. It is advisable to remind oneself to try to slow down breat...

[Read More] Understanding Throat Numbness and Breathing Issues After Choking


Understanding Throat and Ear Inflammation: Medication Guidance and FAQs

Throat inflammation and ear inflammation, along with medication consultation? Today, I suddenly felt pain in my throat and ears. The doctor examined my throat and ears and mentioned that there is inflammation (but did not specify whether it is tonsillitis or pharyngitis). The pre...


Dr. Zheng Jueyi Reply:
Hello, it is recommended to take the medication at least four hours after the dinner medication. If dinner is at 6 PM, you can take the medication before bed at 10 PM or later. When taking antibiotics, it is advised to swallow them with an adequate amount of water and not to take...

[Read More] Understanding Throat and Ear Inflammation: Medication Guidance and FAQs


Unexplained Pain and Foreign Sensation in Right Throat During Swallowing

There is an area in the middle to lower right side of my throat that experiences an unexplained pain and a sensation of a foreign body when swallowing? I have been experiencing pain in the right side of my throat (the area between the Adam's apple and the right collarbone) f...


Dr. Ji Zhaoyun Reply:
Hello, the issues you mentioned may have a low correlation with each other and could involve multiple different diagnoses. It is advisable to consult an otolaryngologist for an examination.

[Read More] Unexplained Pain and Foreign Sensation in Right Throat During Swallowing


Understanding Tongue Bumps: Causes and Concerns for Your Health

There is a lump on the upper right edge of the tongue? Hello Doctor: I have a small bump on the right side of my tongue. Is this normal tissue? I'm very worried it might be a sexually transmitted infection. If it is, what should I do? Could it affect my entire oral cavity an...


Dr. Zheng Jueyi Reply:
Hello, it is common for this to be related to the taste buds or minor salivary glands on the tongue. If you are concerned or experiencing symptoms such as persistent enlargement or pain, it is advisable to consult an otolaryngologist for examination and confirmation.

[Read More] Understanding Tongue Bumps: Causes and Concerns for Your Health


Can Family Members Reinsert a Nasogastric Tube? Risks and Considerations

Nasogastric tube issues Can family members reinsert a nasogastric tube if it falls out? What problems could arise from reinserting it themselves? Thank you.


Dr. Ji Zhaoyun Reply:
Hello, if the displacement is only slight, self-repositioning is usually not a major issue. However, if the displacement extends to the larynx, or if the patient has conditions such as ulcers or tumors in the esophagus or stomach, self-repositioning is not recommended. If the pat...

[Read More] Can Family Members Reinsert a Nasogastric Tube? Risks and Considerations


Can Endoscopy Procedures Lead to Infection Risks?

Will it be infectious? Doctor, after vomiting from eating, I felt discomfort in my throat. I went to the hospital for an examination, and the doctor used a long, thin camera to look inside my nasal cavity to check for any foreign objects or inflammation in my esophagus or trachea...


Dr. Zheng Jueyi Reply:
Hello, endoscopes are always disinfected after use to prevent infections.

[Read More] Can Endoscopy Procedures Lead to Infection Risks?


Accidentally Swallowed Candy: Should You Seek Medical Attention?

Accidental ingestion of candy Hello Doctor: On Sunday, September 18th, around noon, I accidentally swallowed a piece of candy while drinking water. At that moment, I felt like it got stuck (I'm not sure if it was in my esophagus or trachea). I drank some water, but I still f...


Dr. Zheng Jueyi Reply:
Hello, if you experience persistent worsening of swallowing difficulties or a sensation of a foreign body, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation. If there are no obvious symptoms, you may start with self-monitoring. Dr. Cheng Jue-Yi, Director of the Department of Otolaryngol...

[Read More] Accidentally Swallowed Candy: Should You Seek Medical Attention?


Feeling of Food Stuck in Chest: Is It Esophageal Cancer?

The sensation of food getting stuck in the chest? Hello Doctor, I am scheduled for a colonoscopy and gastroscopy in a few days. Due to a low-residue diet, I felt very hungry yesterday afternoon and experienced some nausea in my throat. However, when I ate in the evening, I felt a...


Dr. Zheng Jueyi Reply:
Hello: Abnormalities in the esophagus can be thoroughly examined through an endoscopy. It is recommended to wait for the gastrointestinal endoscopy. Wishing you peace and health. Sincerely, Dr. Cheng Jue-Yi, Director of the ENT Department, Taoyuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and...

[Read More] Feeling of Food Stuck in Chest: Is It Esophageal Cancer?


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