Resolved question:
Hello, i've always had a bad gag reflex but nothing serious, only when I would go to the dentist or if i had to put something in my mouth like a mouth guard or the things for an X-ray. Recently my gag reflex has been really bad for the past week and a half. I am big into lifting weights and on the bench press for instance I would start gagging when I would bring the bar down and push it up. My neck muscles get tight and I don't feel the sensation until about 20 minutes after eating or when I'm working out. I used to dip tobacco but I quit because I had a bump in my mouth on both sides where I put my dip. I have been stressed about mouth cancer however I believe the bumps are there due to trauma because I bite my cheeks in my sleep sometimes and when I dipped I would press the dip with my cheek, also they do not hurt they do not bleed they are just there and i have had them for about 4 months and they have not grown or anything they are kind of soft but it doesnt feel like there is anything iside of them. I am getting it checked out by the dentist this Friday, but I will upload a picture of what it looks like. I have no problems opening my mouth, breathing, swallowing, everything is normal except the tight muscles in my neck and my throat being very senesitive to gagging after I eat and working out. The reason for saying that is because I am not sure if this gag reflex is due to stress/anxiety. Also I am in a "bulking" phase where I gain weight and turn it into muscle, my eating decions have been poor recently as well. I can barely workout without feeling like I am going to throw up. any suggestions?
-Thanks
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello.
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
I have seen the image that you sent. If it is possible, try uploading a clearer picture. However it does not remotely look like cancer. So kindly relax. It could be due to 3 factors : 1) Constant irritation that the mouth was subjected too during the dip, 2) Acid reflux, 3) Due to bites.
It needs too be treated. I will recommend the medicine in the end.
Now from your gagging symptom, it does seem to be a combination of psychological anxiety and GERD ( Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease ). In GERD, most patients start developing reflux the moment they eat, or anything that increases the intra-abdominal pressure, for instance, in your case, lifting of heavy weights. It is further triggered by anxiety and the food contents get refluxed back to the oesophagus leading to an inflammation, which further leads to a foreign body sensation and gagging. However the good part is it can be controlled. I will recommend the following medicines. Please try it for a week's time and get back to me.
1) Cap. Omeprazole 20 mg once daily before breakfast for 2 weeks.
2) Syp. Sucralfate 2 teaspoons twice daily ( after lunch and dinner )
3) Please avoid heavy meals. Have light meals, at regular times. If possible stay away from working out till your gag reflex comes down a bit.
4) Xytee Gel ( Metronidazole gel ) for local application over the mouth ulcers.
5) Kindly relax. You're too young to be thinking about mouth cancer. Since you already stopped it, you shouldn't be worried anymore. To develop cancer, it needs cumulative exposure for years.
Hope this was helpful,
Regards.
Hello, I am feeling a bit bettee I went to the dentist and the bump is most likely due to trauma, about the gag reflex, I feel a little better from the omeprazole however I still have the symptoms I have been eating low carbs and more healthy but at times my throat seems sensitive and the right neck muscles get tight and I feel like throwing up especially when lifting.
Hello.
Thank you for the follow up.
It's good to know you have been improving and i will recommend you ontinue the same for 2 weeks.
Also when exactly do you work out? Can you stop working out for a couple of days and see if the symptoms subside. Over straining yourself can also lead to such symptoms. What is the gap between your meal and working out?
However if the symptoms are improving then its an encouraging sign and it is likely to further improve over the next week or so.
Regards.
Hello.
Thank you for the follow up.
It's good to know you have been improving and i will recommend you ontinue the same for 2 weeks.
Also when exactly do you work out? Can you stop working out for a couple of days and see if the symptoms subside. Over straining yourself can also lead to such symptoms. What is the gap between your meal and working out?
However if the symptoms are improving then its an encouraging sign and it is likely to further improve over the next week or so. And can you also upload a picture of the bump you described? Then i can give m opinion on that bump.
Regards.
I usually eat about am hour before working out. I will upload another picture of the bump.
Hello.
An interval of one hour between your meal and working out is short. You need to give a gap of at least 2 hours between your meal and working out.
As mentioned earlier, exercise can increase the pressure within the abdomen, predisposing to reflux of stomach contents. This in turn can cause gagging etc. So its better that you wait for 2-3 hours after a meal, before exercising. Also, please continue with the other recommendations.
You have mentioned that you have uploaded another image but I haven't received any image. Please upload it in the follow-up.
Regards.
Okay I will try leaving a bigger gap in between working out and eating. I will upload the picture please let me know what you think.