The 20 Best Painful Swallowing Doctors Near Me in Athens, AL

Find the Top Painful Swallowing Experts and Specialists

The 20 Best Painful Swallowing Doctors near Athens, AL

Last Updated: 02/22/2026

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MediFind found 24 doctor with experience in Painful Swallowing near Athens, AL. Of these, 20 are Experienced, 3 are Distinguished and 1 are Advanced.

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24 providers found
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Anesthesiology
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Anesthesiology

    Athens-Limestone Hospital

    700 W Market St, 
    Athens, AL 
     (0.3 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Jimmy Dunn is an Anesthesiologist in Athens, Alabama. Dr. Dunn is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Acute Pain, Painful Menstrual Periods, Painful Swallowing, and Gallbladder Disease.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Anesthesiology
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Anesthesiology

    Athens-Limestone Hospital

    700 W Market St, 
    Athens, AL 
     (0.3 miles away)
    Experience:
    18+ years
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Benjamin Ladner is an Anesthesiologist in Athens, Alabama. Dr. Ladner has been practicing medicine for over 18 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Invertebral Disc Disease, Acute Pain, Sacroiliac Joint Disease, and Cervical Spondylosis.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Anesthesiology
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Anesthesiology

    Athens-Limestone Hospital

    700 W Market St, 
    Athens, AL 
     (0.3 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Jon Bignault is an Anesthesiologist in Athens, Alabama. Dr. Bignault is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Acute Pain, Invertebral Disc Disease, Gallbladder Disease, and Chronic Pain.

    Learn about our expert tiers
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Otolaryngology
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Otolaryngology

    Valley Ear Nose And Throat Associates PC

    15232 Greenfield Dr, 
    Athens, AL 
     (3.0 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Robert Hill is an Otolaryngologist in Athens, Alabama. Dr. Hill is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Thyroid Nodule, Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP), Sinusitis, and Empyema.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    General Surgery
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    General Surgery

    Valley Ear Nose And Throat Associates PC

    15232 Greenfield Dr, 
    Athens, AL 
     (3.0 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Paul Papajohn is a General Surgeon in Athens, Alabama. Dr. Papajohn is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Infant Hearing Loss, Parathyroid Hyperplasia, Osteitis Fibrosa, and Neonatal Severe Hyperparathyroidism.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine

    Drayer Physical Therapy-Alabama LLC

    22292 US Highway 72, 
    Athens, AL 
     (3.0 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Matthew Caldwell is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Athens, Alabama. Dr. Caldwell is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Colorectal Cancer, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Chronic Cough, and Familial Hypertension.

    Distinguished in Painful Swallowing
    Gastroenterology
    Distinguished in Painful Swallowing
    Gastroenterology

    Riverside Gastroenterology PC

    1304 Somerville Rd SE, 
    Decatur, AL 
     (13.6 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Thomas Short is a Gastroenterologist in Decatur, Alabama. Dr. Short is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS), Mesenteric Artery Ischemia, Gastric Dysmotility, and Swallowing Difficulty.

    Distinguished in Painful Swallowing
    Anesthesiology
    Distinguished in Painful Swallowing
    Anesthesiology

    Office

    2208 Danville Rd SW Ste G, 
    Decatur, AL 
     (13.6 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Jeffrey Markham is an Anesthesiologist in Decatur, Alabama. Dr. Markham is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Painful Swallowing, Invertebral Disc Disease, Sciatica, and Phantom Limb Pain.

    Distinguished in Painful Swallowing
    Gastroenterology
    Distinguished in Painful Swallowing
    Gastroenterology

    Decatur Gastroenterology Associates PC

    1103 15th Ave SE, 
    Decatur, AL 
     (14.7 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Jeanette Keith is a Gastroenterologist in Decatur, Alabama. Dr. Keith is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. Her top areas of expertise are Painful Swallowing, Swallowing Difficulty, Angiodysplasia of the Colon, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Internal Medicine
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Internal Medicine

    Office

    1015 US Highway 72 E Ste A, 
    Athens, AL 
     (6.7 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Chandra Koneru is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Athens, Alabama. Dr. Koneru is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pulmonary Edema, Heart Failure, Advanced Bronchoscopy, and Hip Replacement.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine

    Cee L.L.C

    101 Fitness Way Ste 1200, 
    Athens, AL 
     (6.7 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Christopher Edwards is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Athens, Alabama. Dr. Edwards is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Lung Metastases, Psoriasis, and Labyrinthitis.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine

    Valley Obstetrics & Gynecology PC

    725 W Market St Ste B, 
    Athens, AL 
     (6.7 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Melissa Gray is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Athens, Alabama. Dr. Gray is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. Her top areas of expertise are Lung Metastases, Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, and Familial Hypertension.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine

    Office

    28779 Nick Davis Rd, 
    Harvest, AL 
     (8.7 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Hobert Sharpton is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Harvest, Alabama. Dr. Sharpton is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Tracheitis, Breast Cancer in Men, Vitamin B12 Deficiency, and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).

    Advanced in Painful Swallowing
    Gastroenterology
    Advanced in Painful Swallowing
    Gastroenterology

    Office

    1201 Somerville Rd SE Ste 1, 
    Decatur, AL 
     (13.6 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Manish Arora is a Gastroenterologist in Decatur, Alabama. Dr. Arora is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Angiodysplasia of the Colon, Chronic Erosive Gastritis, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Gastroenterology
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Gastroenterology

    Decatur Morgan Medical Arts

    1215 7th St SE Ste G200, 
    Decatur, AL 
     (13.6 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Attupuram Alexander is a Gastroenterologist in Decatur, Alabama. Dr. Alexander is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Erosive Gastritis, Gastritis, Esophagitis, Hiatal Hernia, and Endoscopy.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Internal Medicine
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Internal Medicine

    Office

    1215 7th St SE Ste 130, 
    Decatur, AL 
     (13.6 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Michael Roberts is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Decatur, Alabama. Dr. Roberts is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Hypothyroidism, Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia, Xanthoma, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine

    Office

    240 Johnston St SE, 
    Decatur, AL 
     (13.8 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    John Irle is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Decatur, Alabama. Dr. Irle is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Tracheobronchomalacia, Acquired Tracheomalacia, Familial Hypertension, and Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Gastroenterology
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Gastroenterology

    Office

    460 Lanier Rd Ste 201, 
    Madison, AL 
     (14.3 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English
    Offers Telehealth

    Robert Pendley is a Gastroenterologist in Madison, Alabama. Dr. Pendley is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Biliary Hypoplasia, Diverticular Disease, Hiatal Hernia, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, and Endoscopy.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine

    Office

    9044 Madison Blvd, 
    Madison, AL 
     (14.3 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English

    Bhavna Gowda is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Madison, Alabama. Dr. Gowda is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. Her top areas of expertise are Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Familial Hypertension, and High Cholesterol.

    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine
    Experienced in Painful Swallowing
    Family Medicine

    Office

    145 Research Blvd Ste 100, 
    Madison, AL 
     (14.3 miles away)
    Languages Spoken:
    English
    Offers Telehealth

    Heath Donahue is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Madison, Alabama. Dr. Donahue is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. His top areas of expertise are Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Vitamin D Deficiency, High Cholesterol, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

    Showing 1-20 of 24

    Last Updated: 02/22/2026

    What is the definition of Painful Swallowing?

    Painful swallowing is any pain or discomfort while swallowing. You may feel it high in the neck or lower down behind the breastbone. Most often, the pain feels like a strong sensation of squeezing or burning. Painful swallowing may be a symptom of a serious disorder.

    When should I see a Painful Swallowing doctor near Athens, AL?

    There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

    • Your primary care provider recommends it. 
    • Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 
    • Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 
    • You need specialized testing or procedures. 
    • You want a second opinion.  

    What should I consider when choosing a Painful Swallowing doctor near Athens, AL?

    It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

    How does MediFind rank Painful Swallowing doctors near Athens, AL?

    MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

    What types of insurance are accepted by Painful Swallowing doctors near Athens, AL?

    Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

    How can I book an appointment online with a Painful Swallowing doctor near Athens, AL?

    MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Painful Swallowing doctor search results page. 

    Why is it important to get a second opinion from a different Painful Swallowing doctor?

    Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

    How can I prepare for my appointment with a Painful Swallowing doctor near Athens, AL?

    Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

    • Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 
    • Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 
    • Family history of disease 
    • List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 
    • Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  
    • List of questions and concerns 
    • Your insurance card 

    You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

    What questions should I ask my Painful Swallowing doctor?

    Here are some sample questions: 

    • Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 
    • What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 
    • What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 
    • Are there other specialists I need to see? 
    • What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

    How can I learn about the latest clinical trials and research advances my Painful Swallowing doctor may know about?

    MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

    MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

    Can I filter my search to show male or female Painful Swallowing doctors near Athens, AL?

    Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Painful Swallowing doctor search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

    Can I filter my search to find a Painful Swallowing doctor that offers video calls?

    Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Painful Swallowing doctor search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

    Reviewed on: 11/11/24  

    By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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