Dysphagia
When to be concerned?
If difficulty swallowing is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by pain, swallowing may become impossible
Dysphagia can occur at any age but is more common in older adults.
Associated symptoms of dysphagia
- Pain while swallowing
- Inability to swallow
- Hoarseness
- Feeling that something is stuck in the throat or behind the breastbone
- Regurgitation of food into the mouth and esophagus after swallowing
- Heartburn
- Noticeable weight loss
- Coughing during swallowing
When should you see a doctor?
- If the issue is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by frequent regurgitation.
- If there is noticeable weight loss.
Causes of dysphagia:
Esophageal Dysphagia:
- Achalasia (failure of the esophageal muscles to relax)
- Esophageal spasm (esophageal contractions)
- Esophageal stricture (narrowing)
- Esophageal tumors: Gradually increasing difficulty swallowing
- Foreign body in the esophagus
- Esophageal ring
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Radiation therapy
Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
- Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease
- Nerve damage: Brain or spinal cord injury
- Zenker's diverticulum: A pouch that collects food in the throat above the esophagus
- Cancer
Complications of dysphagia
- Malnutrition and weight loss
- Pneumonia due to food entering the airway
- Choking
Consult a gastroenterologist if you experience persistent or worsening symptoms of dysphagia.
Methods for diagnosing dysphagia:
- X-ray with barium swallow
- Swallowing study
- Endoscopy
- Esophageal manometry
- CT scan or MRI
Treatment for dysphagia:
Methods for treating esophageal dysphagia:
1- Esophageal Dilation:
- For achalasia
- For esophageal stricture
- For motility disorders
- For Schatzki's ring
2- Surgery:
- For tumors
- For achalasia
- For pharyngeal esophageal diverticulum (Zenker's diverticulum)
3- Medications:
- To treat dysphagia caused by GERD
4- Dietary modifications:
- A prescribed diet to help alleviate symptoms
Surgical procedures for treating dysphagia:
- Heller myotomy with laparoscopy
- Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)
- Esophageal stent placement for narrow esophagus
- Botox injections to relax the esophageal muscle and improve swallowing
