Swallowing Pain or Burning

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What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting swallowing difficulty in detail may include:

• Is there pain when swallowing solids, liquids, or both?
• Is the pain there all the time (constant) or off-and-on (intermittent)?
• Are there progressive swallowing problems (getting worse)?
• Is there difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)?
• Aggravating factors
  • Have you inhaled or swallowed any irritating substance?
  • Is there a fever, sore throat, or other sign of infection?
  • Does it feel like there is a lump in the throat?
• What other symptoms are present?
• What other medical problems do you have?
• What medications do you take?

• Barium swallow and upper GI series
• Throat culture
• Neck X-ray
• Chest X-ray
• Endoscopy (EGD)
• Esophageal acidity test, also called a pH probe (To check for acid that comes from the stomach and enters the esophagus. This is called gastroesophageal reflux disease and often causes heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth)
• Esophageal manometry (pressure measurements)
• HIV testing

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to painful swallowing, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.