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Question
03 Feb 2004
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Mulfunctioning valve?
Sometimes when I eat, food get stuck in my chest, this is very painful, a doctor told me once it is because of a valve that does not automatically open to allow food through to the stomach, what is this valve called, is it a specific condition and what can be done about it.
CyberDoc
Sonja, there is no real valve in the oesophagus. There is a muscle at the lower end called the lower oesophageal sphincter that functions as a valve and I suppose that’s what he war referring to. If food gets stuck there regularly, the best would be to see a gastroenterologist (stomach specialist) as it might be something serious. Good luck.
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