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 enquires being your symptoms of swallowing, what you are eating, how stressful your life is, whether you experience chest or epigastric pain. He next looks at your throat, at neck and belly to see whether they are tender or lumpy.
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 test assesses the intensity, coordination and timing of the esophageal muscle contractions- needed to diagnose for motility disease such as achalasia or spasm.
The acid exposure in rupture of the esophagus during 24 hours is assessed by a small probe to confirm the presence of GERD-related damage that leads 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 refers to difficulty in swallowing. It may affect solids, liquids, or both and can result in choking or coughing during meals.
It may be caused by stroke, GERD, esophageal strictures, neurological disorders (such as Parkinson's disease), or cancers of the throat or esophagus.
To evaluate swallowing, your physician may order a barium swallow X-ray, endoscopy, or a modified barium swallow study, which provides a real-time view of the swallowing process.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause: swallowing therapy by a speech-language pathologist, dilation of strictures, medications for reflux, or surgery for structural problems.
Yes. Adjusting food textures (pureed foods, thickened liquids) can minimize aspiration risk. A dietitian can provide guidance on safe eating practices.
See a doctor if you experience persistent coughing, choking, weight loss, or food sticking in your throat for more than 2 weeks.
Untreated dysphagia can lead to malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, and dehydration. Early management is crucial to prevent complications.
Recovery time depends on the cause and treatment. Speech therapy may take weeks, while surgical interventions may require days to a few weeks for recovery.
