Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that causes a person to have difficulty swallowing or may cause them to be unable to swallow at all. When a person drinks or eats something, the tongue, the throat, and the oesophagus all work together to enable swallowing. When a person has dysphagia, one or more of these areas are not functioning properly.
It is important to seek medical attention if you have trouble swallowing. Swallowing difficulty can cause choking or cause food or liquid to go into your lungs, which is called aspiration and leads to breathing difficulties.
Dysphagia can occur in anyone, but it is more common in older adults. Signs and symptoms that someone may have dysphagia include:
If any of these symptoms frequently occur when you eat or drink, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional. If you have trouble breathing while eating or drinking, you should seek emergency care immediately to help clear your airway.
The cause of dysphagia is related to neurological damage from certain health conditions that can lead to weakened muscles or nerves that help you swallow. Other health conditions may lead to the back of your throat narrowing, which also causes problems with swallowing.
Some health conditions can give you a feeling of having food or water stuck in the back of your throat after you have started to swallow. Many of these health conditions are more common in older adults, so they are at an increased risk of having swallowing difficulties.
The following are some health conditions that may cause dysphagia.
Doctors may do various tests to diagnose dysphagia. Your healthcare provider will ask you a lot of questions related to your swallowing difficulties and also complete a physical examination. Standard tests that your doctor may order to assess your swallowing include the following:
Treatment for Dysphagia is based on the cause of the condition. If it is caused by infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe medications such as antibiotics to help fight the infection. Damage caused by neurological and oesophageal problems may indicate that changes to diet are necessary. You should also sit upright when eating and remain upright for a while after you eat.
Taking small bites and sips when eating or drinking and clearing your throat often to help clear particles that may be stuck is also essential. Chewing your food well and eating slowly will help reduce the risk of choking. If swallowing becomes too difficult and you are at a high risk of choking, your healthcare provider may recommend a feeding tube to deliver nutrients directly to your stomach.