P.S. With your history of angina, if any procedures are contemplated to evaluate or treat your throat pain and swallowing difficulty, you will need cardiology clearance beforehand. Keeping this in mind, it would be prudent, if you do not already have one, to affiliate with a cardiologist to follow you periodically and be sure you r condition is stable and optimized for any contemplated procedure in the near or immediate future. Again, Best Wishes, Brock Drapkin, M.D.

Thank you for sharing those details. Given your symptoms and medical history, you should absolutely see a specialist, and heres why Concerning Symptoms That Warrant Further Evaluation Youve had a sore throat for two weeks with difficulty swallowing dysphagia. Thats not something to brush offespecially considering Youre a heavy smoker Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of cancers in the oropharynx, larynx, and esophagus. Persistent throat pain dysphagia This combination can be a red flag for something beyond a simple viral infection or acid reflux. History of GERD While GERD can cause chronic throat irritation, when it overlaps with swallowing difficulty, it raises the stakes. Age 60 Age is a nonmodifiable risk factor for head and neck cancers. Early detection is crucial for good outcomes. Why Your PCP May Be Downplaying It But Why You Still Shouldnt Primary care providers sometimes watch and wait if symptoms seem mild or overlap with known conditions like GERD. But two weeks is long enoughespecially with your risk factorsfor a specialist evaluation to be prudent and proactive, not panicdriven. What Type of Specialist to See You should ask for a referral to an ENT Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist, also called an otolaryngologist. They can Examine your throat and larynx with a scope. Evaluate for structural or cancerous changes. Coordinate any imaging or biopsies, if needed. If your GERD is poorly controlled or suspected to be contributing, a gastroenterologist may also be part of the picture. What You Can Do Now Call your doctors office and specifically request an ENT referral. If they resist or delay, advocate for yourselfexplain that your symptoms havent improved and you are concerned about cancer risk. Consider switching providers if your concerns are repeatedly dismissed. Final Thoughts Your instincts are correct this needs a deeper look. Youre not overreactingyoure being responsible. Lets rule out the serious stuff, so you can breathe easier literally and figuratively. Nicole.

GERD can cause a sore throat, but YES!!! You should see a specialist.

Yes

Should be seen by an ENT for an examination, endoscopy, and biopsy, if there's a suspicious lesion. If it persists much longer, an esophageal endoscopy is indicated and possibly a barium swallow study. Could try quitting. Omeprazole is generally safe to take for symptom relief.

Hi,

Yes, I would definitely ask your GP to refer you to an ENT surgeon. You will need someone to examine your throat. I would try to get a referral urgently.

Best wishes,

Paul Goodyear