Having issues swallowing food?

I was thirteen years old when I first experienced trouble swallowing my food. I was having dinner with my family and then I had the sensation that food was stuck in my throat so I gulped down some water hoping that would resolve the issue but what would happen next would be a memory I wish to forget. I’ll spare you all the details, let’s just say I didn’t want to finish dinner after that. Prior to that event I recall having a burning sensation in the back of my throat most nights and unfortunately, I never did anything about it. I knew it wasn’t normal, and I should have taken some Pepto-Bismol or something similar to relieve the discomfort, but I was young and careless.

Back then I didn’t know that I was experiencing acid reflux which would later turn into heartburn. After a few visits to the doctors and a handful of tests they didn’t find any issues but only concluded that I must be experiencing esophageal spasms.

The problem continued

Many years after that, I would experience this painfully uncomfortable condition off and on and I wasn’t 100% certain what was causing it. I could only conclude it was occurring when I didn’t drink enough water with my meal or I ate food that was too spicy, or because I had too much black coffee that day. So, I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist, and I had all the customary tests performed such as a Barium Swallow and an upper endoscopy. Thankfully everything checked out ok. They wrote me a prescription for Nexium (which I tried for a couple months then stopped) and after a while things seemed ok. Over the course of many years after this I would have an episode maybe twice a year but never really thought much about it since all of the tests were negative.

Something has to change

Now fast forward fifteen years later, I began to have esophagus spasms again but this time it was a few times a day and getting worse. It got to the point where I couldn’t even finish my meal. It seemed like my throat was shrinking. I wasn’t scared but I just knew I had to take action.

I called my primary care physician to schedule my annual physical a little early. During the exam I decided to share my concerns with the doctor and let him know I’ve been having trouble swallowing my food. He recommended that I take magnesium to remedy the condition. When he said that, I remembered not taking a magnesium supplement for a very long time and perhaps what he is recommending would actually solve the problem.

The importance of minerals

A few years ago I learned that most men and women are low in magnesium and such deficiencies are displayed in different ways such as not feeling rested when you sleep, a lack of mental clarity, and muscle related issues. I used to take a magnesium supplement every day, but I stopped because I began taking a new multivitamin that has 125mg of magnesium, and with my healthy diet I assumed that would be enough. Plus, the results from my fasting lab work (blood tests) showed my magnesium levels were always normal.

The truth revealed

And now for the moment of truth… When I got home from the doctor’s appointment the first thing I did was take a magnesium supplement (400mg), about forty-five minutes later I had lunch and didn’t experience any sensations of a restricted throat or onset of an esophageal spasm. I was mystified! The next day I took my usual multivitamin with the additional magnesium supplement and felt great all day with no issues. I did the same thing the next day and the next day too. My esophageal spasms are gone! And best yet, I didn’t have to take any medications or have surgery! Praise God!

From this point moving forward I will continue to monitor my mineral intake, especially since I drink so much water.

~I hope the explanation of my experience has been helpful for you!

Pro Tip:

If you are experiencing trouble swallowing food, or similar issues, and you believe your concern may be related to a food allergy, buy a legal pad and leave it in your kitchen. Write down every single ingredient you consume so you are fully aware of what’s in your diet. Also note any vitamins and supplements you are taking and document their value in milligrams, etc.  

This may sound tedious at first, but if are willing to put in the work, you’ll eventually find something in your diet that’s been causing discomfort. If you’re not able to pinpoint the issue, make it a priority to see your primary care physician and a nutritionist.

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