What Should I Do If I Feel Pain and Blockage in My Esophagus When Swallowing Food?

If there is pain and blockage in the esophagus after eating, it is necessary to observe whether there is also a phenomenon of pain. If there is no pain, it is important to ensure that the food eaten is not too hot, and the diet should be mainly light to reduce irritation to the esophagus. If there is a feeling of pain, it is likely caused by reflux esophagitis. In this case, the patient should go to the gastroenterology department of the hospital for examination and receive treatment after finding the cause.

Firstly, in terms of diet, it is important to eat small meals frequently and maintain a low-fat diet, which can reduce the frequency of reflux after eating. Conversely, a high-fat diet can promote the release of cholecystokinin from the small intestine mucosa, which can easily lead to reflux of gastrointestinal contents. Stimulating foods should be avoided, and alcohol and smoking should be quit. Nicotine in tobacco can aggravate reflux, while ethanol can stimulate gastric acid secretion and worsen reflux symptoms.

Secondly, if the individual is overweight, weight loss is recommended. Excessive abdominal pressure in obese individuals can promote gastric juice reflux, especially when lying flat. Therefore, active weight loss should be pursued to improve reflux symptoms.

Thirdly, patients can elevate the bed legs on the side of their head by 15 to 20 centimeters when sleeping at night, which is an effective way to reduce nocturnal reflux. Activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as excessive bending, wearing tight clothing, and tightening belts, should be avoided to prevent reflux. At the same time, poor sleeping positions should also be changed. Some people like to raise their arms or use a pillow under their head when sleeping, which can raise the diaphragm and increase intra-gastric pressure, thereby worsening gastric juice reflux.