Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a board-certified gastroenterologist and the founder of GastroDoxs. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
He asks about your swallowing symptoms, eating habits, stress levels, and any associated chest or epigastric pain. He then examines your throat, neck, and abdomen for tenderness or masses.
You drink a contrast solution while X-rays capture its journey down your esophagus-revealing strictures, motility problems, or sites of obstruction.
An endoscope is passed through your mouth to directly visualize the lining of your esophagus and stomach. Dr. Pothuri can also obtain biopsies to rule out inflammation, eosinophilic esophagitis, or tumors.
This procedure measures the strength, coordination, and timing of your esophageal muscle contractions-essential for diagnosing motility disorders like achalasia or spasm.
A small probe records acid exposure in your esophagus over 24 hours to confirm GERD-related damage contributing to dysphagia.
Dr. Pothuri has treated more than 9K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Dysphagia means trouble swallowing. It can affect solids, liquids, or both and may cause choking or coughing during meals.
Common causes include stroke, GERD, esophageal strictures, neurological disorders (Parkinson's), and cancer in the throat or esophagus.
Your doctor may order a barium swallow X-ray, endoscopy, or a modified barium swallow study to observe swallowing in real time.
Treatment depends on cause: swallowing therapy with a speech-language pathologist, dilation for strictures, medications for reflux, or surgery for structural issues.
Yes. Textures may be modified (pureed foods, thickened liquids) to reduce aspiration risk. A dietitian can guide safe meal plans.
Seek evaluation if you have persistent coughing, choking, weight loss, or food sticking in your throat for more than two weeks.
Untreated dysphagia can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia. Early management is key to preventing complications.
Recovery time varies by cause and treatment-speech therapy may take weeks, while surgical fixes can heal in days to weeks.
