Difficulty swallowing can get in the way of enjoying your favorite stack of pancakes from Lakeside Cafe. While most people experience difficulty swallowing occasionally, such as when taking large bites of food or drinking certain liquids, ongoing swallowing difficulty may be a sign of dysphagia.
What Is Dysphagia?
Dysphagia refers to the condition that causes ongoing difficulty swallowing. There are three different types of dysphagia defined by which part of the swallowing process is affected:
- Esophageal: when food cannot easily move down through the esophagus, the tube connecting the stomach to the throat.
- Pharyngeal: when food cannot easily move down through the throat.
- Oral: when food or liquid cannot move from the mouth to the throat, usually due to problems with the tongue
What Are the Symptoms of Dysphagia?
Dysphagia may be accompanied by symptoms including:
- Pain in the throat and chest when swallowing
- Feeling that food is hard to swallow
- Coughing during or after eating
- Food or liquid regurgitation
- Choking
- Nasal regurgitation
Some signs of dysphagia occur independently of eating or drinking. These symptoms may include:
- Sore throat and hoarseness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Acid reflux
- Vomiting
What Can You Do About Dysphagia?
Treatment options for dysphagia will vary depending on the cause. Common causes of dysphagia include problems with esophageal muscle motility, structural issues in the esophagus, eosinophilic esophagitis (a chronic allergic condition triggering inflammation in the esophagus) and neurologic problems affecting the functioning of the mouth, throat and esophagus.
Your ENT specialist may recommend one of the following treatment options for your dysphagia:
- Medication: Medications may include antacids, muscle relaxants and acid production inhibitors.
- Surgery: Dysphagia surgery usually centers around stretching or dilating the esophagus, allowing food and liquids to pass through more easily.
- Therapy: Swallowing therapy involves teaching chewing and swallowing techniques to stimulate the nerves and muscles responsible for healthy swallowing. Techniques often focus on improving the range of motion, coordination and strength of the muscles in the jaw, lips and tongue.
If a swallowing disorder is causing discomfort and preventing you from enjoying your favorite meals, contact Ear, Nose & Throat Associates today to make an appointment with one of our specialists for diagnosis and treatment.