I’ve failed this swallow test… now really stressed

[seventiesborn]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/health/34272624/simple-one-minute-test-risk-of-deadly-cancer/

I’ve been really stressed recently and had some bad reflux problems. I’ve started taking sertraline. I’ve just seen this swallow test. I can’t really do more that 4 or 5 swallows in 30 seconds. Should I go to the GP?

Don’t take your medical advice from The Scum!

Good grief.

I've just passed it ... however, my oesophagus is officially fucked, I have Barretts Oesophagus and achalasia ... so I wouldn't attach too much significance to passing or failing.

Dysphagia specialist here. Never herd of this test or the so called evidence it references. Please don't worry or pay any attention. Do treat reflux as it can make other conditions more likely.
See your GP if you have increaed coughing with eating or drinking, feeling sticking after swallowing, voice changes, unexplained weightloss.
In hospital we ask people to drink a cup of water without coughing amd drink a biscuit as a screen.

Anxiety can cause dysphagia! As can GERD (acid reflux).

Try relaxing and don’t rush. You are probably gulping and trying to swallow again without finishing swallowing IYSWIM.

If you are still struggling, it would be worth seeing your GP but dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is a common complication of GERD.

Another SALT here. I cannot BELIEVE the irresponsibility of that article (well I can, it's clickbait, but actively dangerous rather than just stupid). Here's the facts and how they have distorted them.

1. The Rapid Saliva Swallowing Test (RSST) exists.
2. If you can only do 3 or less saliva swallows in a minute, you meet the test level for dysphagia.
3. Dysphagia means 'impaired swallow'. It is a description of something happening in the body. The important thing to know is the cause. For example, if you have an anaesthetic for the dentist, you might have a kind of temporary dysphagia. Is it worrying? No of course not! The cause is obvious and will soon go away.
4. Some cancers have dysphagia as one of their symptoms.
5. Here's the problem. The RSST has never been validated (proved) as any kind of diagnostic test for cancer of any type. What the Scum has done there us just stick a paragraph about throat cancer on the end of an article about the RSST. They arent otherwise connected.

If your swallowing has changed in a noticeable way, or is painful, then yes, go to the GP. Otherwise, read a good book instead. 💐

No. You should not go to the GP because of some ridiculous article.

Sit down and have a cup of tea, then carry on with your day.

If you are an adult you seriously need to look at how you react to media.

Completely irresponsible article, what nonsense. I’m 40 and managed 5. I’m not in the slightest bit concerned.

Oh god I only managed 3 (almost 4) and I’m only 31!

I didn’t even know this was a thing.

I think might was s bit of nerves though because I think most people find it hard to swallow on demand more than once.

It's not a thing. Please don't worry.

Thanks everyone for replying. You have all made me feel better. The article popped on my fb feed. I will ignore in future. Thanks again. I hope I can shake off the anxiety soon.

Thank you for putting mine (and OPs) mind at rest.

I’m not usually a worrier but I did feel a bit anxious after doing it.

I'm so confused, is this just swallowing your own saliva? I can't swallow very fast at all, once I've swallowed once I struggle to swallow again quickly! Never heard of this test.

I can’t swallow my own saliva more than 3 or 4 times consecutively. There is ball all wrong with my throat, it’s just hard to do! Don’t worry about it OP.