Swallowing disorders, or dysphagia, occur when something disrupts the process of moving food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. Disruptions can arise in one of these three stages:
- The mouth (oral dysphagia)
- The throat (oropharyngeal dysphagia)
- The esophagus (esophageal dysphagia)
Let’s take a look at a few common dysphagia treatment options to help you set expectations for your ENT appointment.
1. Medication
Your ENT might prescribe antimicrobials to treat viruses or fungal infections causing dysphagia. If GERD (chronic acid reflux) is behind your dysphagia, they may recommend medications to control acid reflux, like antacids or proton pump inhibitors.
2. Lifestyle Changes
Changing your diet and eating habits can make a significant difference in your dysphagia, especially if GERD or textural issues are behind the swallowing difficulty. Lifestyle changes may include, but are not limited to:
- Eating softer foods
- Eating and drinking medium-temperature foods
- Taking smaller bites
3. Oral Exercises and Techniques
A speech or swallowing therapist can guide you through exercises designed to strengthen and coordinate muscles or help reawaken the nerves that trigger your swallowing reflex.
You may also learn techniques for placing food in your mouth and adjusting your head or body posture to make swallowing easier. These strategies are beneficial for managing dysphagia related to neurological conditions like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Esophageal Dilation
Esophageal dilation is a quick, minimally invasive procedure used to treat dysphagia caused by conditions like achalasia (when the esophageal sphincter fails to open and drop food into the stomach), esophageal stricture (narrowing of the esophagus), esophageal motility disorders (when the esophageal muscles don’t properly move food or liquid) or a narrow ring of tissue at the junction of the esophagus and stomach.
During the procedure, a swallowing therapist or ENT specialist inserts an endoscope into the esophagus and inflates a small balloon to stretch and widen the narrowed area gently.
5. Surgery
Surgery may be necessary for swallowing disorders caused by throat narrowing or blockages. Common blockages include bony outgrowths, pharyngoesophageal diverticula (a pouch at the back of the throat), vocal cord paralysis and GERD. Common types of dysphagia surgery include:
- Laparoscopic Heller myotomy. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy involves cutting the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus to treat achalasia.
- Stent placement. Stent placement is performed to hold open a narrowed or blocked section of the esophagus.
- Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). POEM involves creating an incision in the esophagus to treat achalasia.
- OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox). Your ENT specialist will inject Botox® into the bottom of the esophagus to relax the swallowing muscles.
6. Feeding Tubes
Though uncommon, patients with severe dysphagia may require a feeding tube to ensure they get enough nutrients.
Schedule Your ENT Appointment Today
If you’re having trouble swallowing, contact Ear, Nose & Throat Associates today to find the right treatment path.