What patients in west Hyderabad usually describe
- Rice or roti pausing behind the chest bone
- Needing water to push every bite
- Symptoms that started with meat or bread and now affect softer food
- Heartburn for years, then a new sticking feeling this month
A throat lump is not always the same thing
Some people feel a lump when they are not eating. That sensation can come with reflux or stress and still deserves a history. True sticking during a swallow is the symptom that should lead to endoscopy, because long-standing acid injury can tighten the lower food pipe, and less common causes need to be seen rather than guessed.
What happens at the consult
Dr. Anupama Swarna asks which foods stick, for how many weeks, and whether weight has changed. Endoscopy is planned when it will change treatment — often soon, with a short fast beforehand. You can read the clinic’s endoscopy guide for what the test day feels like. Do not start a new pile of antacids as a substitute for the test.
Areas we serve
Frequently asked questions
01 Is difficulty swallowing the same as heartburn?
No. Heartburn is a burning feeling. Dysphagia means food or drink sticks or slows on the way down. Reflux can cause both, but sticking food needs an endoscopy rather than antacids alone.
02 When should food sticking be checked urgently?
If solids are getting harder over weeks, you are losing weight, food comes back up, or you cannot swallow liquids. Do not wait for the next festival week to pass.
03 Can anxiety cause a lump in the throat?
A lump felt between swallows, with normal eating, is often a sensation called globus and can relate to reflux or stress. Food that truly sticks on swallowing still needs a look.
04 Will I need endoscopy for this?
Usually yes, if the symptom is persistent. The test looks for inflammation, a narrowing, or a growth. Many results are treatable narrowing from reflux, not cancer, but the test is how you know.
05 What should I do if a piece of food is stuck now?
If you cannot swallow saliva or you are drooling and in pain, go to emergency care. Do not try to push the food down with more bread or water if you are already choking on secretions.
06 Where is swallowing assessment near Kokapet?
Jade Clinics, 3rd floor MN Crux, above KFC, Kokapet–Narsingi, Hyderabad 500075. Mon–Sat 5:30–7:30 PM. Call +91 63022 69348.