Skip to main content

Featured post

Child’s Ears Blocked With Wax? Safe Earwax Advice | London & Essex ENT

  My Child’s Ears Are Blocked With Wax — Should It Be Removed? Parents often look inside their child’s ear and immediately think: “There’s a lot of wax in there. Should I clean it out?” In most cases, the answer is no . Earwax is normal. The skin of the ear canal produces it naturally, and it helps protect the ear from dust, dirt, and microorganisms. Most wax gradually moves towards the entrance of the ear and comes out without anybody needing to clean deep inside the canal. The problem arises when wax builds up sufficiently to block the ear canal , interfere with hearing or prevent a clinician from examining the eardrum. NHS guidance lists hearing loss, earache or blocked-ear sensation, tinnitus and sometimes dizziness among symptoms that can occur with excessive earwax. In children, another important consideration is that even a temporary reduction in hearing can affect classroom listening, speech perception, and communication. This guide explains when earwax is normal, ...

Why do I have regurgitation of food?





Which sphincter prevents regurgitation of food from the stomach?

Our food pipe starts in the neck and connects the back of the throat to the stomach. At both ends of the food pipe or oesophagus, there is a ring of muscle which prevents food and acid from the stomach from coming back into the throat.


Which conditions can present as regurgitation or dysphagia?

Regurgitation of undigested food or acid can be due to slowly growing conditions such as:

  • The tightness of the upper ring muscle (Cricopharyngeal spasm)
  • Web formation in the food pipe
  • Out-pouching of the food pipe (Pharyngeal Pouch)
  • Stricture or tightness of the food pipe because of a previous injury such as a burn
  • The food pipe muscles unable to relax due to a stroke. 

In some cases, it can present suddenly due to obstruction of the food pipe due to a foreign body. You should attend A&E if you suspect that you have a sudden onset complete dysphagia. 
In some patients, this can be the presentation of cancer in the food pipe. Suppose you notice progressive difficulty in swallowing over the period of 3-6 weeks. In that case, you should see your doctor and get an urgent referral to an ENT doctor to rule out oesophageal cancer.




When should I be concerned about my regurgitation or difficulty in swallowing (Dysphagia)?

If you notice that you are choking and coughing as soon as you drink or eat.

If you think you need extra effort and multiple swallows to push the food down your food pipe, or you notice weight loss with or without a neck lump. If you see food regurgitating into your nose, you should see an ENT doctor. In patients with pharyngeal pouch or diverticulum of the upper food pipe, you may notice a bubbling or gurgling sound in the neck, frequent chest infections and in some cases, neck lump that you are able to press. 

What happens when you see an Ear, Nose & Throat doctor?
When you visit your ENT doctor, you will have a complete history and examination. In the clinic, you will have an assessment of the upper food pipe by doing endoscopy and the doctor may organise a special scan in the form of a barium swallow or MRI scan. The doctor may discuss with you to do an assessment under anaesthesia and take a biopsy or tissue sample.


How is regurgitation or dysphagia managed?

Management of regurgitation depends on the cause of dysphagia. In some cases, management may be multidisciplinary with the ENT doctor working together with a SALT (Speech and Language specialist), nutritionist, dietitian and your doctor. In complex cases, functional assessment of swallowing is done in the clinic, which provides useful information to your doctor, aiding diet modification and rehabilitation exercises. 


Helping Patients with Specialist Expertise and Kindness

Mr Gaurav Kumar

Consultant Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeon

Book an Appointment


entsurgeonclinic@gmail.com

07494914140

Disclaimer: For general information only, always seek medical advice from your treating consultant.



Popular Post

LAX VOX

  LAX VOX  is a vocal therapy technique that can help improve voice quality, relaxation, and overall vocal health. It involves using a unique tube to create  bubbling sounds  while phonating.  Here are the steps for practising LAX VOX: Relax and Focus on Posture and Breathing : Maintain a good posture with a long spine. Relax your face, neck, upper back, and chest muscles, allowing them to release toward gravity. Preparing for Bubbling with Phonation : Place a  silicone tube  (about 35 cm long and 9-12 mm in diameter) between or in front of your incisor teeth and above your tongue. Keep your tongue relaxed (imagine it as a piece of steak) and slightly touch the tube. Hold the water-filled bottle near your body to avoid using shoulder muscles. Inhale through your nose as if you’re yawning with your mouth closed. Prepare for phonation during exhalation, focusing on abdominal and lower back muscles. Finding the Target Voice : Create bubbling sounds with y...
Read more

Private Pediatric Coblation Tonsillectomy London & Essex | Mr Gaurav Kumar

Private Pediatric Coblation Tonsillectomy London & Essex | Mr Gaurav Kumar Coblation Tonsillectomy for Children: A Gentler, Less Painful Option in London and Essex When a child suffers from chronically enlarged tonsils that disrupt their breathing at night, or recurrent bouts of tonsillitis that cause high fevers and missed school days, surgical removal is often the most effective long-term solution. However, the prospect of a traditional tonsillectomy can make many parents incredibly anxious, primarily due to concerns over post-operative throat pain and a lengthy recovery period. Fortunately, modern surgical advancements have introduced a technique designed specifically to address these concerns: Coblation Tonsillectomy . If you are looking into private treatment options for your child outside of overstretched local NHS waiting lists, understanding how this gentle technology works can help you make an informed choice. This guide breaks down the benefits of coblation and how famil...
Read more

Bleeding After Child Tonsillectomy: Emergency Advice | London & Essex

  Bleeding After Tonsil Surgery: The Safety Red Flags Every Parent Must Know Bringing your child home after a tonsillectomy is a moment of relief, marking the end of chronic infections or disruptive sleep apnoea. As you settle into the two-week home recovery period, your primary focus is usually on managing their throat soreness, keeping them hydrated, and ensuring they rest. However, there is one critical post-operative complication that demands every parent's absolute vigilance: post-tonsillectomy bleeding . While advanced techniques like low-temperature coblation tonsillectomy significantly lower surgical trauma, the throat remains a highly vascular area. Any amount of fresh bleeding after a tonsillectomy must be taken seriously. Parents should know exactly when to seek urgent medical help and never adopt a "wait and see" approach at home. This emergency guide breaks down how to identify a tonsil bleed and the exact rapid care pathways available across East London and...
Read more

After your Epley manoeuvre — patient information leaflet

  What this leaflet tells you This leaflet explains what to expect after the Epley (canalith repositioning) manoeuvre for posterior-canal BPPV, what you should and shouldn’t do, and when to seek help.   1. Quick summary — what the Epley did The manoeuvre moves tiny particles (otoconia) out of the balance canal of your inner ear and back into a place where they don’t cause spinning (vertigo). Most people feel much better after one or a few treatments. However BPPV can come back (recurrence is common).   2. How you may feel immediately afterwards You may feel dizzy or off-balance for a few minutes to a few hours; nausea is possible.   Some people feel better straightaway; others get gradual improvement over days.   Rarely ,you may have brief recurrences of vertigo — this does not always mean the manoeuvre failed.   3. Activity and posture — what the evidence says Good news: High-quality studies and recent guidelines show that strict he...
Read more

Chronic Throat Clearing and Globus Sensation: Causes, Symptoms and When to See an ENT Specialist

  Chronic Throat Clearing and Globus Sensation: Why Does It Feel Like Something Is Stuck in Your Throat? Many people occasionally clear their throat during a cold or allergy flare-up. However, when throat clearing becomes frequent or constant, it can become frustrating, socially embarrassing and uncomfortable. Some patients also describe a persistent feeling of a “lump” or tightness in the throat, even though swallowing food and drinks may still feel normal. This sensation is known as globus sensation . In many cases, these symptoms are linked to irritation or inflammation affecting the throat and voice box. Common causes include laryngopharyngeal reflux (silent reflux), voice strain, postnasal drip or muscle tension . This article explains the common causes of chronic throat clearing and globus sensation, when to seek ENT advice and what treatment may involve. What is globus sensation? Globus sensation refers to the feeling that something is stuck in the throat, despite the...
Read more

Endoscopic Glomus Tympanicum Surgery London & Essex | Mr Gaurav Kumar

  Endoscopic Minimally Invasive Glomus Tympanicum Surgery: Advanced Solutions for Pulsatile Tinnitus Hearing a rhythmic thumping, swooshing, or heartbeat-like sound in one ear can be deeply unsettling. Known clinically as pulsatile tinnitus , this symptom often leads patients across East London and Essex on a complex diagnostic journey through general practice, cardiology, and neurology before they are referred to a specialist otologist. When an ENT specialist inspects the ear canal, they occasionally spot a distinct red or purple vascular mass glowing behind an intact eardrum. In many cases, this is a Glomus Tympanicum (a tympanic paraganglioma). While hearing the word "tumour" can cause immediate panic, glomus tympanicum tumours are benign (non-cancerous) and highly vascular growths. Historically, removing these tumours required large incisions behind the ear and extensive mastoid bone removal. Today, modern surgical advancements allow skilled otologists to remove them usi...
Read more

Endoscopic Transcanal Cholesterol Granuloma Surgery | London & Essex

  Endoscopic Transcanal Cholesterol Granuloma Surgery: Advanced Minimally Invasive Ear Care A persistent feeling of fullness in one ear, fluctuating hearing loss, or a deep, dull earache can easily be mistaken for a standard Eustachian tube dysfunction or stubborn middle ear fluid. However, when these symptoms persist despite routine medical treatment, a closer clinical examination may reveal a dark, bluish discolouration glowing behind the eardrum. In many cases, this distinct visual sign points to a Cholesterol Granuloma —an inflammatory, fluid-filled cystic lesion packed with cholesterol crystals. While hearing the term "granuloma" can cause immediate anxiety, these lesions are non-cancerous, benign formations. Historically, accessing and draining a cholesterol granuloma required large incisions behind the ear and extensive bone removal (a mastoidectomy). Today, modern surgical advancements allow skilled otologists to access and drain these lesions using minimally invasive...
Read more

Vocal Cord Granuloma Treatment | London & Essex ENT

  Persistent Hoarseness or Throat Tickle? Evidence-Based Management of Vocal Cord Granulomas in East London, Brentwood and Essex Experiencing a persistent change in your voice or feeling a constant, irritating tickle in your throat can be deeply frustrating and anxiety-inducing. Many adults across East London, Brentwood and Essex find themselves clearing their throats continuously, struggling to project their voices during a presentation at work, or feeling a localised raw sensation in their throats. You might notice your voice sounding tired and raspy after a stressful, traffic-heavy commute along the A406 (North Circular) , or feel a burning discomfort after enjoying dinner in Brentwood. It is highly common to worry when a hoarse voice refuses to clear up, raising fears of serious vocal box diseases. If you have been silently dealing with chronic voice changes and throat tickles, it is important to know that your symptoms could point to a highly treatable, benign inflammatory tis...
Read more

Retracted Eardrum in Children & Ear Infections | London Essex ENT

  Retracted Eardrum in Children: Ear Infections, Glue Ear and Hearing Concerns Explained Parents are sometimes told after an ear examination that their child has a retracted eardrum . This can sound worrying, especially if the child has had repeated ear infections, glue ear, blocked ears, hearing problems or speech concerns. A retracted eardrum means the eardrum is being pulled inwards towards the middle ear space. It is not the same as a burst eardrum, and it does not always indicate an active infection. However, it can be a sign that the middle ear is not ventilating normally. In children, this is often linked to the Eustachian tube — the small tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose. When this tube does not open and equalise pressure well, negative pressure can build up behind the eardrum. Over time, this may pull the eardrum inwards. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon, assesses children with ear infections, glue ear, hearing concerns and paediatric ENT ...
Read more

Adult Tonsillectomy Recovery: Day-by-Day Guide After Tonsil Surgery

  Adult Tonsillectomy Recovery: What to Expect Day by Day Adult tonsillectomy can significantly improve quality of life for people struggling with recurrent tonsillitis, chronic sore throats or repeated throat infections. However, recovery after adult tonsil surgery is often more uncomfortable than many patients expect. Understanding the normal stages of recovery can help reduce anxiety and allow patients to prepare properly before surgery. This guide explains what adults commonly experience after tonsillectomy, how to support recovery safely, and when to seek urgent medical advice. Why is adult tonsillectomy recovery difficult? The tonsils sit in an area that moves constantly during swallowing, eating and speaking. After surgery, the throat heals gradually over approximately two weeks. Adults generally experience: Significant throat pain Pain when swallowing Ear pain (referred pain from the throat) Tiredness and reduced energy Disturbed sleep Temporary bad brea...
Read more