My 81 yr old, active, mother regurgitates after every meal. she says the food gets stuck in her throat. when it comes up thoug she has lost weight as a result. she won't do anything about it because i think she thinks she will die and won't be able to

Your : Your complaint is consistent with dysphagia, difficulty swallowing food. There are many causes , some worrisome( esophageal or stomach cancer), some less worrisome (a stricture or scarring from long standing esophagitis, or a problem with motility and the muscles not coordinating the swallowing process). These symptoms cannot be comfortable for your mother. Starving is not a good. Please have her see her physician for a referral to a gastroenterologist to get an endoscopy done. They will sedate her and look into her stomach. Maybe there is something they can do to help her. The current situation really isn't tolerable. Hope things go well.

She needs to be seen: Your mother needs to speak with her physician immediately or make an appointment with a gastroenterologist to evaluate the reason for the regurgitation after meals.

Esophageal cancer: Your mothers symptoms could be from many things. Esophageal cancer is rare, But more likely if she is or was a cigarette smoker and or heavy drinker. Regardless, she needs an exam and complete history ASAP. She’s active and otherwise healthy, so it’s important she figures out what’s going on soon. The earlier she has a diagnosis, she will have more choices and input on treatment.