Dysphagia encompasses any sort of difficulty or discomfort when swallowing, and is most common in babies or older adults. Swallowing is a relatively complex process, utilizing several muscles and nerves. Dysphagia, therefore, has a variety of causes, including problems with the mouth, throat or esophagus. It can also be caused by neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, or physical blockages like ulcers and cancerous growths. Left unchecked, dysphagia can lead to malnutrition, dehydration and even pneumonia.
Check out the information below for a brief overview of the three main types of dysphagia and how they can be treated.
Oral Dysphagia
This means the problem is with the mouth. It could be that you have a weakness of the tongue, difficulty chewing or issues transporting food from the mouth to the throat. Oral dysphagia can occur in stroke survivors who have difficulty controlling the muscles in their mouth and tongue. This can lead to poor management of liquids – thickeners from Simply Holahan can help lessen the issue, by allowing the patient to better control their fluids and initiate a strong swallow.
Pharyngeal Dysphagia
This type concerns the throat. The most common causes of pharyngeal dysphagia are neurological and degenerative disorders which affect the nervous system. The muscles at the back of your throat (your pharynx) are connected to the brain via the cranial nerves, which neurologic diseases can interfere with. People suffering from this type may experience pain, choking, and the sensation of food/drink ‘going down the wrong pipe’.
Esophageal Dysphagia
Caused by problems in the esophagus, this type of dysphagia is usually associated with blockages or irritation. Esophageal stricture (a narrowing of the esophagus) or cancer (commonly attributed to smoking or alcohol) can lead to difficulty swallowing. Also known as low dysphagia, this type will normally require surgery.
Symptoms and Treatments
There are a variety of signs that you may have some form of dysphagia. The condition can vary in severity, and can get worse over time, particularly if caused by a degenerative disorder. A handful of common symptoms are listed below:
- Stomach acid backing up
- Coughing and hoarseness when swallowing
- Choking while eating
- Heartburn/indigestion
- Difficulty holding food in the mouth or starting the swallowing motion
- Unexpected weight loss as a result of malnutrition
Treatments often depend on the cause, so it’s always best to consult your doctor for a diagnosis first. Video-fluoroscopies, endoscopies and x-rays are often used to identify the specific cause of the problem, after which patients can choose to undergo dysphagia therapy or other treatments. Diet modifications and feeding tubes can also help to alleviate the issue, depending on the severity.
If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of dysphagia, it’s important to consult an expert in order to pin down the root of the problem. If it’s the result of a degenerative condition, there are treatments and home remedies to make swallowing easier, although you may have to prepare for the fact that the issue will get worse with time. If esophageal dysphagia is diagnosed, you may be able to fix the problem with dilation or surgery.
