Dysphagia Difficulty Swallowing And What It Means

Esophageal Dysphagia

Signs of malnutrition and dehydrationWeight lossLack of interest in foodPain in the chest when you swallowCoughing in the night that wakes you upVomiting up food after you swallow itA sensation of food getting stuck in the chest in the area of the breastbone

Oropharyngeal Dysphagia

Signs of malnutrition and dehydrationLack of interest in foodWeight lossFrequent cough or choking during swallowingClearing the throat oftenSwallowing frequentlyTaking a long time to chew foodMoving the head or neck in a strange motion while swallowingPainful swallowingProblems breathing while eatingGetting food stuck in the throat oftenDroolingExpelling liquids out of the nose

Conditions That Cause or Contribute to Dysphagia

Diseases that affect the musclesCongenital abnormalities that affect sucking or swallowingA tumor in the throat or on the tongueA strokeDamage to the esophagus (from radiation or ingesting toxic substances)GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or persistent heartburnCancer of the head or neckAn infectionFood allergiesDiseases that affect the vascular system, like lupus or scleroderma

Complications of Dysphagia or Chronic Trouble Swallowing

Treatment and Therapy Options for Dysphagia Depend on the Root Cause

Treatment will depend on the cause of the dysphagia and which part of the body is affected.

Medications

Therapy

Surgery

Diet for Dysphagia

Finding Help for Dysphagia

OtolaryngologistNeurologistGastroenterologistSpeech-language pathologistDietician