A symptom referring to difficulty in swallowing. It may be observed in patients with stroke, motor neuron disorders, cancer of the throat or mouth, head and neck injuries, Parkinson disease, and multiple sclerosis
Symptoms of Dysphagia
The following features are indicative of Dysphagia:
pain while swallowing
unable to swallow
sensation of food getting stuck in throat or chest or behind breastbone
drooling
regurgitation
frequent heartburn
food or stomach acid back up into throat
unexpectedly losing weight
coughing or gagging when swallowing
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Common Causes of Dysphagia
The following are the most common causes of Dysphagia:
achalasia
diffuse spasm
esophageal stricture
esophageal tumors
foreign bodies
esophageal ring
Other Causes of Dysphagia
The following are the less common causes of Dysphagia:
multiple sclerosis
muscular dystrophy
Parkinson's disease
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
eosinophilic esophagitis
scleroderma
radiation therapy
stroke
pharyngeal diverticula
cancer
Risk Factors for Dysphagia
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Dysphagia:
increasing age
neurological disorders
nervous system disorders
older adults
Prevention of Dysphagia
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Dysphagia. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
eat slowly
chew food well
early detection of GERD
Occurrence of Dysphagia
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Dysphagia cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Dysphagia can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Dysphagia can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Dysphagia
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Dysphagia:
Barium X-ray: To see changes in the shape of esophagus and to assess the muscular activity
Dynamic swallowing study: To see problems in the coordination of mouth and throat muscles when swallowing and determine whether food is going into breathing tube
Endoscopy: To visualise the esophagus
Fiberoptic endoscopic swallowing evaluation (FEES): To test the swallowing
Esophageal muscle test (manometry): To measure the muscle contractions of esophagus
Imaging scans: To create detailed images of organs and tissues
Doctor for Diagnosis of Dysphagia
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Dysphagia:
Gastroenterologist
Speech pathologist
Complications of Dysphagia if untreated
Yes, Dysphagia causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Dysphagia is left untreated:
malnutrition
weight loss
dehydration
pneumonia
upper respiratory infections
Procedures for Treatment of Dysphagia
The following procedures are used to treat Dysphagia:
Esophageal dilation: To gently stretch and expand the width of esophagus or pass a flexible tube or tubes to stretch the esophagus
Surgery: To clear the esophageal path
Feeding tube: To bypass the part of swallowing mechanism that isn't working normally
Self-care for Dysphagia
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Dysphagia:
Try eating smaller, more-frequent meals: To help ease symptoms
Trying foods with different textures: To avoid foods that trouble
Avoid alcohol, tobacco and caffeine: To avoid heartburn
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Dysphagia
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Dysphagia:
Exercises: Help coordinate swallowing muscles or stimulate the nerves that trigger the swallowing reflex
Learning swallowing techniques: Help to swallow food easily
Patient Support for Treatment of Dysphagia
The following actions may help Dysphagia patients:
Talk to speech pathologist: Teaches new ways to swallow and to avoid choking and gagging
Time for Treatment of Dysphagia
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Dysphagia to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
