Answer box: Difficulty swallowing, called dysphagia, means food or water sticks, hurts or goes down slowly. It should never be ignored for more than 2 weeks. Dr Raman Garg, surgical gastroenterologist at Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Bathinda, Punjab, India, finds the cause with endoscopy and plans medicines, a stretching procedure or surgery as needed.
What is a swallowing problem, in plain words?
The food pipe (oesophagus) is a muscular tube about 25 cm long that joins the throat to the stomach. When you swallow, the muscles in its wall squeeze in a wave and push the food down, and a ring of muscle at the bottom opens to let it in. If the tube is narrowed, scarred, blocked, or if the squeezing wave is weak, food sticks. You feel it as a lump behind the breastbone, pain while swallowing, a need to drink water after every bite, or coughing and choking while eating.
Doctors separate two kinds:
- Throat type (oropharyngeal): trouble starting the swallow, coughing or choking in the first second, food going into the nose. This is often linked to the nerves and muscles of the throat, for example after a stroke. A neurologist or ENT doctor may need to see you.
- Food pipe type (oesophageal): food seems to stick in the chest a few seconds after swallowing. This is the group Dr Raman Garg evaluates and treats.
Painful swallowing is a separate symptom, called odynophagia, and is also covered here.
Symptoms and when to worry
Common signs:
- Food sticking in the chest, first with solid food like roti, meat or apple, later with dal and liquids.
- Pain or burning on swallowing.
- Needing to chew very long, to cut food in tiny pieces, or to wash down every bite.
- Bringing food back up (regurgitation), sometimes hours later.
- Heartburn that has changed to sticking.
- Cough, hoarse voice or chest infections from food going the wrong way.
- Weight loss because you eat less.
A 62 year old farmer from Talwandi Sabo who has begun avoiding roti and now lives on dal, curd and tea for two months, and has lost 6 kg, is a typical patient. He often says "Bas thoda sa atakta hai" (it sticks just a little). Early checking matters.
Red flags: do not wait. Come to the hospital the same day for:
- Food or even water stuck fully and not going down, or you cannot swallow your own saliva.
- Vomiting of blood, or black stool.
- Severe chest pain after swallowing a bone, coin or a large piece of meat.
- Difficulty swallowing with weight loss, especially above age 50.
- Breathlessness or choking.
Call +91 82641-60001 24/7. Difficulty swallowing that is steadily getting worse needs an endoscopy within days, not months.
Causes and risk factors
| Cause | What happens | Who is at risk |
|---|---|---|
| Acid reflux damage (GERD) | Long acid burn scars and narrows the lower food pipe | Years of heartburn, obesity, smoking. See acid reflux and GERD treatment |
| Ring or web | A thin ring of tissue at the bottom narrows the tube | Often middle-aged adults |
| Achalasia | The bottom muscle does not relax and the tube loses its wave | Any age; slowly worsening |
| Eosinophilic oesophagitis | Allergic swelling in the food pipe | Young adults, history of allergy |
| Hiatal hernia | Part of the stomach slides up. See hiatal hernia treatment | Older adults, reflux |
| Food pipe cancer | A growth blocks the tube | Age above 50, tobacco, alcohol, very hot tea, long reflux |
| Stomach cancer at the top of the stomach | A growth near the food pipe junction. See stomach cancer surgery | Age above 50, H pylori, smoking |
| Chemical injury | Scarring after swallowing acid or lye | Past accident or self-harm; needs kind, specialist care |
| Infection | Fungal thrush in people with diabetes or after inhalers or steroids | Diabetes, low immunity |
| Nerve and muscle disease | Weak swallow after stroke or Parkinson's | Older adults; may need a neurologist as well |
Long years of tobacco, bidi, gutka, alcohol and very hot tea raise the risk of food pipe cancer. That is why a new swallowing problem, especially after age 45 to 50, always gets an endoscopy.
How Dr Raman Garg diagnoses it
The goal is to find out what is blocking the food, and whether it is cancer or not, quickly.
- History and examination: Is it solids or liquids? How long? Is it getting worse? Weight? Heartburn? Tobacco?
- Upper GI endoscopy (gastroscopy): a thin flexible camera goes through the mouth under sedation or throat spray and shows the whole food pipe and stomach. A narrowing can be stretched or a biopsy taken in the same sitting. See endoscopy in Bathinda and endoscopy kya hota hai.
- Biopsy: a tiny sample is sent to the lab to check for cancer, allergy or infection.
- Barium swallow: an X-ray test after drinking a white liquid to see the shape of the tube.
- Manometry and pH study: pressure and acid tests if achalasia or reflux is suspected.
- CT scan: if a growth is found, to see how far it has spread.
Barium, manometry, pH study and CT scans are arranged with trusted imaging partners in Bathinda, and Dr Raman Garg reviews the report the same day. Blood tests are done in our in-house laboratory.
| Test | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPD consultation | 500 | 700 | 1,000 |
| Upper GI endoscopy (gastroscopy) | 2,000 | 3,200 | 5,000 |
| Biopsy report (histopathology), per sample | 800 | 1,500 | 3,000 |
| Barium swallow | 1,200 | 2,000 | 3,500 |
| GERD manometry | 4,000 | 7,000 | 12,000 |
| GERD pH study | 3,000 | 5,000 | 8,000 |
| CT scan abdomen | 3,500 | 6,000 | 9,000 |
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on the cause found, how many biopsy samples are taken, which scans are needed and your health.
Treatment options by cause
There is no single treatment for "swallowing problem". The treatment follows the cause.
| Cause | Usual treatment |
|---|---|
| Reflux with mild narrowing | Acid-lowering medicines, diet and weight steps; stretching if needed |
| Ring, web or scar narrowing | Stretching (dilatation) during endoscopy, then medicines to stop it returning |
| Achalasia | Stretching of the lower muscle, or keyhole surgery to cut the tight muscle (myotomy) |
| Eosinophilic oesophagitis | Anti-allergy diet and medicines, stretching in some |
| Large hiatal hernia with reflux | Medicines first; keyhole hernia repair with fundoplication when needed |
| Fungal infection | Antifungal medicines and sugar control |
| Growth or cancer | Biopsy, staging scan, then surgery, and other cancer treatment guided by the tumour board and the stage |
| Throat or nerve cause | Referral to ENT or neurologist, swallowing exercises, diet changes |
Stretching (dilatation)
Done during the endoscopy for a short narrowing. A balloon or dilator is passed over a guide to widen the tube. Most patients feel easier swallowing soon after. The narrowing can return, so a few repeat sessions and acid medicines are often needed.
Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery
For achalasia or a large hiatal hernia, Dr Raman Garg uses laparoscopic surgery through small cuts. Most patients walk on the same day and go home within 24 hours. See laparoscopic surgery in Bathinda. For a hernia at the food pipe opening, the surgeon repairs the gap and wraps the top of the stomach around the lower food pipe (fundoplication) to stop acid coming back.
Cancer of the food pipe or stomach
If a biopsy shows cancer, the key is time. Dr Raman Garg plans surgery based on stage, and coordinates other cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation where the stage requires. These are not part of the surgery figures. See GI cancer surgery in Bathinda and early signs of stomach cancer. Many food pipe cancers are found late because people accept the sticking as "normal". Coming early gives more treatment choices.
Safe eating while you wait
- Eat slowly, in small bites, sitting upright.
- Choose soft foods: khichdi, dalia, mashed potato, curd, soup.
- Avoid dry roti, large pieces of meat, nuts and raw apple until the cause is known.
- Sip water between bites.
- Do not lie down for 2 to 3 hours after meals.
- Never push food down with force or take home remedies for a stuck bone.
Before and after: what to expect on endoscopy day
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day before | Light dinner; stop eating 6 to 8 hours before the test; tell us about blood thinners and diabetes tablets |
| Test day | Short test under sedation or throat spray; biopsy or stretching in the same sitting if needed |
| After the test | Rest for a short time; most patients go home the same day; eat after the throat numbness wears off |
| 3 to 5 days later | Biopsy report reviewed and plan explained |
| After stretching | Soft diet for a day or two, then slowly normal; repeat as advised |
| After keyhole surgery | Walking the same day; discharge within 24 hours for most; soft diet in stages; follow-up by phone or video |
Risks and how they are handled
Endoscopy is a common, well-controlled test. Rare risks include a sore throat, a reaction to sedation, bleeding after a biopsy, and, very rarely, a tear in the food pipe. The risk of a tear is higher with stretching in a very narrow or scarred tube, so Dr Raman Garg stretches slowly, in steps, and watches closely. Surgery carries general risks such as infection, bleeding, or a leak, and after fundoplication some patients feel bloating or temporary tightness while swallowing. These are explained before consent. A swallowing problem that is ignored can lead to weight loss, chest infection from food going into the lungs, and late diagnosis of cancer, which is the bigger risk.
Cost of care in Bathinda
Most patients need only an OPD visit and an endoscopy. Costs rise if biopsy, stretching, manometry or surgery is needed. Typical surgery figures:
| Procedure | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiatal hernia repair with fundoplication (for severe reflux) | 90,000 | 1,30,000 | 2,00,000 |
| Stomach cancer surgery (gastrectomy) | 1,50,000 | 2,50,000 | 4,00,000 |
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on the cause found, stage of disease, type of procedure chosen, anaesthesia type, your age and other illnesses and your health.
Cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy, radiation) is not included in surgery figures. Dr Raman Garg gives you the cost for stretching or achalasia surgery after endoscopy and reports, because it depends on the cause. Compare tests on gastro treatment cost in Bathinda.
Insurance and cashless
Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute is empanelled with almost all major insurers and TPAs, including Aditya Birla Health Insurance, Niva Bupa, Digit Insurance, Care Health Insurance, Vidal Health TPA, ICICI Lombard, Raksha TPA, Future Generali, SBI General Insurance, Oriental Insurance, Liberty General Insurance, IFFCO Tokio, Cholamandalam MS, Medi Assist TPA, and almost all other major insurers and TPAs. Ayushman Bharat: call us with your card details and our insurance desk will tell you the same day how your card can be used.
- Call or WhatsApp +91 82641-60001 with your policy or card details.
- Our insurance desk checks your cover for the planned test or surgery.
- The desk arranges pre-authorisation.
- You are treated, and the bill is settled with the insurer as per policy terms.
Read more on cashless insurance for gastro treatment.
Facilities at Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute
- Advanced endoscopy and colonoscopy suite with biopsy facility.
- Fully equipped in-house diagnostic laboratory.
- Modern laparoscopic operation theatre.
- Stitchless laparoscopic technique with skin glue.
- Same-day walking and discharge within 24 hours for most keyhole surgeries.
- Comfortable patient rooms and 24/7 emergency care support.
- Cashless insurance desk.
- One surgeon from consultation to follow-up.
- Online pre-arrival consultation for out-of-town and NRI patients: share reports on WhatsApp.
- Follow-up by phone or video.
- Barium, manometry, pH study, CT and MRI arranged with trusted imaging partners in Bathinda, reports reviewed by Dr Raman Garg the same day.
See gastro hospital in Bathinda.
Why patients choose Dr Raman Garg
A swallowing problem can be a simple scar from acid or a cancer, and you cannot tell by the symptoms. Dr Raman Garg is a surgical gastroenterologist: a stomach, gut, liver, gallbladder and pancreas specialist who also operates. He does the endoscopy, reads the biopsy plan, stretches the narrowing when that is enough, and operates by keyhole when that is needed. You do not wait for referrals between three doctors.
He has 20+ years of experience and 10,000+ laparoscopic surgeries, with MBBS from Government Medical College, Patiala, MS General Surgery from Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, and DNB Surgical Gastroenterology from Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai. He is the first surgical gastroenterologist in the Malwa belt of Punjab. Read about Dr Raman Garg and the page for gastro doctor in Bathinda.
Patients we see from your area
Patients come from Talwandi Sabo (30 km, 45 min), Raman Mandi (28 km, 40 min), Giddarbaha (45 km, 1 hr) and nearby towns. Send your old endoscopy or barium report on WhatsApp so Dr Raman Garg can advise before you travel.
How to book
- Call or WhatsApp +91 82641-60001 (or +91 99885-03800).
- Send old reports on WhatsApp and tell us how long, how much weight lost.
- Visit OPD, Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Come empty stomach if an endoscopy is planned the same day; we will tell you.
- Get the test and the written plan.
Address: Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Power House Road, Near Street No. 10, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India. Email: bgcibathinda@gmail.com. Sunday: emergency only. Emergency care support 24/7 on +91 82641-60001. Use book an appointment for an online pre-arrival consultation.
This page is general information; your plan is set after Dr Raman Garg examines you.
Related pages
Acid reflux and GERD treatment | Hiatal hernia treatment | Endoscopy in Bathinda | Stomach cancer surgery | GI cancer surgery | Acid reflux and heartburn | Early signs of stomach cancer | All gastro treatments
Medically reviewed by Dr Raman Garg
Last updated: 8 November 2026