What is Dysphagia?
Dysphagia is a medical condition characterized by difficulty or discomfort in swallowing food, liquids, or saliva. It can occur when there are problems with the muscles and nerves that help move food through the mouth and throat into the esophagus.This condition can occur at any age but is more common in older adults and can affect any part of the swallowing process.
Types of Dysphagia
- Oropharyngeal dysphagia: Difficulty initiating a swallow in the mouth and throat
- Esophageal dysphagia: Problems moving food down the esophagus
Common Symptoms
- Coughing or choking when eating
- Food or drink going down the “wrong way”
- Sensation of food stuck in throat or chest
- Regurgitation of food
- Unexplained weight loss
- Drooling or difficulty managing saliva
Causes
- Neurological conditions (stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis)
- Cancer of the mouth, throat, or esophagus
- GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Physical obstruction
- Aging
- Muscle disorders
Diagnostic Methods
- Modified barium swallow study
- Endoscopic evaluation
- Esophageal manometry
- Physical examination
Treatment Approaches
- Dietary modifications
- Thickened liquids
- Swallowing therapy with speech-language pathologists
- Soft or pureed foods
- Special feeding techniques
- Medical interventions
- Medications for underlying conditions
- Dilation of the esophagus
- Surgery in severe cases
Complications
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Social isolation
- Decreased quality of life