Allow yourself to get help for R-CPD

If you've been experiencing difficulty swallowing, the feeling of food getting stuck in your throat, or gagging/choking episodes, you may have a condition called R-CPD (Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction). R-CPD is caused by an inability to relax the muscle at the top of the esophagus, making swallowing solids and liquids challenging.

While some home remedies like sipping water frequently, eating soft foods, and practicing swallowing techniques can help manage mild to moderate R-CPD symptoms, it's important to consult a doctor if:

- Your swallowing difficulties are severe and make it hard to sufficiently eat/drink

- You have to severely modify your diet due to swallowing challenges

- You are losing weight unintentionally due to trouble swallowing

- Swallowing problems are significantly impacting your quality of life

- Symptoms are getting progressively worse over time

- You are coughing, choking or gagging when swallowing on a regular basis

- You have regurgitation of undigested food

- Symptoms are accompanied by throat/neck pain

- You have difficulty swallowing your own saliva

Seeing your primary care physician is a good place to start. They can perform an examination and refer you to specialists like otolaryngologists (ENTs) or speech-language pathologists for further evaluation and treatment.

Diagnostic tests might include:

- Modified barium swallow study - observes swallowing function with a video X-ray

- Esophagoscopy - visual examination of the esophagus with an endoscope camera

- Manometry - measures muscle contractions in the esophagus

- Imaging - CT or MRI scans to rule out structural abnormalities

Treatment options that may be considered include:

- Swallowing therapy with a speech-language pathologist

- Diet and feeding recommendations

- Muscle relaxants or Botox injections into the cricopharyngeus

- Dilation of the upper esophageal sphincter

- Surgery in severe cases

The key is not to suffer in silence out of embarrassment or frustration with R-CPD symptoms. Seeking professional medical assessment is important for managing dysphagia, ruling out serious conditions, improving quality of life, and avoiding complications. With proper treatment, it is possible to find relief from the socially isolating and anxiety-provoking swallowing difficulties of R-CPD.