Swallowing is about as natural a bodily process as you can imagine, but some people experience significant challenges when it comes to food and drink. Dysphagia is the official medical term for swallowing problems, and this health issue is linked numerous disorders and conditions.
Surgical procedures may be necessary to remedy dysphagia, but medications can also be helpful. Here are a few of the medication’s doctors can use to improve a person’s ability to swallow.
The treatment of dysphagia depends on its underlying cause. People who experience difficulty swallowing due to gastroesophageal reflux disease can take medications to decrease how much stomach acid they produce, which can reduce irritation within the oesophagus. Strep throat can also contribute to dysphagia, in which case antibiotics can treat the infection.
For people with eosinophilic esophagitis, an autoimmune condition that causes the oesophagus to become inflamed, corticosteroids can help. As for oesophageal spasms, muscle relaxers can often help reduce the frequency of painful contractions.
Along with medications, the following steps may improve your experience with dysphagia:
Your doctor can also provide additional recommendations based on your medical needs and current health status.