Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing, or the sensation that food is stuck in the throat or chest. It usually indicates an inability of the esophagus to properly move food from the mouth to the stomach. It can affect people of all ages, but is most commonly associated with the elderly.
Signs & Symptoms
When we swallow, food or liquid is carried from the mouth through the pharynx and esophagus into the stomach, where it is digested. This is a mostly involuntary process, one that requires little thought. But when something goes wrong, food or liquid can become stuck or lodged in the throat, chest or sternum. Swallowing becomes painful or difficult, and may be accompanied by choking, coughing, gagging, drooling, regurgitation or hoarseness. Other symptoms might include chest pain, heartburn, belching, sore throat and weight loss.
A number of conditions can cause dysphagia. Children may suffer from congenital defects or physical deformations, or conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. In adults, neuromuscular disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stroke, smoking, alcohol and poor teeth can all lead to swallowing difficulties.
Treatment & Prevention
How a swallowing disorder is treated depends on the cause, and typically involves medications, swallowing exercise, or surgery. Lifestyle changes often work in patients whose dysphagia results from GERD; avoiding alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods, and eating smaller, more frequent meals may be enough to prevent acid reflux and the resultant swallowing difficulties from occurring.
Patients with severe swallowing difficulties may be hospitalized and fed intravenously to ensure they do not become malnourished and lose excess weight.
Chewing your food slowly and thoroughly is the best way to prevent dysphagia.
Contact Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat for more information or to schedule an appointment.