Food going up nasal cavity

[mich018]

The other week I was eating some cake and somehow some of it went up my nose.  I eventually got it down after snorting and blowing my nose.  I didnt think too much of it until this week when the same thing happened again except I couldnt get the food down.   The problem is now whenever I eat all my food keeps getting caught in my nasal cavity.  My left nostril feels rather weird where it joins the bak of my throught, it feels like there is   some sort of gap which wont close.  Does anyone have any ideas why this is happening or what can be causing it?  It's quite distressing and making it very awkward to eat solids.

Thanks

[AnaPhoto]

I too have facial pain when cold air blows in my face. I have trigeminal neuralgia. I had the gamma knife surgery last year and since then, the facial pain has improved. However, now I have swallowing problems and I often aspirate pieces of rice or other small foods into the space between my esophagus and nasal cavity. One time I blew my nose for days and each time, little grains of rice came out. Lol I also have jaw issues. Maybe it's related. Who knows! But anyway, just wanted to share. :-)

[Devildime]

I was born with a submucus cleft palate. I had a pharyngeal flap repair when I was 4. Things have gone well for 30 years. Then I noticed that when I ate horseradish it would go up my nose. Then I noticed that anything spicy would do it. Now when I lean over saliva will run out of my nose. I have a constant tickle in my throat causing me to cough all the time. And when I cough it pushes saliva into my nose and makes me sneeze.

[Julyte]

I have also been experiencing the discomfort of having food get trapped up in my sinuses when I eat, especially rice, oatmeal, ground beef and pills. I also sometimes choke when drinking liquids.  I don't know if it's related, but I also get facial pain when having hot or cold air blow on me.  My ENT checked my nose and throat, found nothing and sent me to a neurologist.  The neurologist treated me like a hypochondriac, and offered no suggestions.  I am hypothyroid and was thinking my thyroid may have swollen to the point where it was causing swallowing issues.  I am also allergic to dust which could be contributing to this and my constant congestion as well.  Unfortunately, I've had limited success with a Neti Pot.  It feels like water gets trapped in my sinuses and I feel tremendous pressure afterwards.  Decongestants and Allegra help a little with the congestion, but have not figured out what to do about swallowing issues.  Any suggestions?

[CherryChoo]

Hey Szuy,

Any update on how you are getting on with the shots/filler? My first doctor recommended this technique to me, I would love to know if it works. If it does I can suggest it to my new doctors. Thanks.x

[Szuy]

I have the same problem. It started after I had a mini stroke. The ENT doc said that the flap that is supposed to close off the sinus when I eat is not working correctly. I also am constantly breathing through my mouth because my nose is always stuffy. So, 5 weeks ago I went in for a balloon sinuplasty (I think that is what it is called), and a shot at the back of the throat to plump up the area where food was going up. I still have food going up, and he said if it is not better in another week, he will put another shot, but he needs to be careful not to put to much because of my breathing. Also, my nose is still stuffy. I do trust this doctor; I am just tired of baby food and liquid food. My ENT did believe me about the food going up the sinus, which is great, though.

[jimralphches]

   Same problem, here. Only, I have to blow my nose, and some food will come out when I blow the nose. If It does not come out, I do a saline rinse, to flush, all the particles of food. It is quite painful.

   I have copd, and on high alert, because if food gets to your lungs, you can aspirate, develop pnuemonia.

   I had a tonsillectomy, adenoid removal and septoplasty.

   Also, I am asthmatic and I wheeze, something fierce. I see an ENT on monday.

    Anyways, thanks for reading. It has helped reading on and knowing, I am not alone, in my pain