Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing food or liquid via mouth through esophageal region into the stomach. While occasional blockage of food is quite common, one should see a doctor immediately if it presents with intense pain making it impossible to swallow completely, similar to conditions experienced in goiter

Dysphagia may happen at any age, but most common in older people.

Swallowing is a complex process and it happens in three stages.

The first stage sets in mouth, where tongue assists the food to pass through the mouth, for the food to be masticated well with salvia. The tongue is responsible for pushing the food to the back of the mouth and pharynx which helps to instigate the second stage.

The second stage of swallowing is an automatic reflex action that makes the muscles of the throat to push the food via the throat into the food pipe. A muscular valve between the lower throat and top of esophagus opens allowing the food to move to the food pipe, while other muscles close the trachea opening which prevents the food from entering into the lungs and trachea.

The third stage begins when the food or liquid enters the esophagus where muscular contraction pushes the food down into the stomach.

Causes

Dysphagia has various causes it may due to a physical obstruction that may interfere with the passage of food or maybe due to abnormalities in the nerves which coordinate with brain, throat and esophagus. Generally, dysphagia falls into two categories.

Esophageal Dysphagia

Esophageal dysphagia means the feeling or sensation of food sticking or getting dangles in the base of the throat or in the chest after you have started to swallow the food. Some of the conditions that cause esophageal dysphagia are achalasia, diffuse spasm, esophageal stricture caused due to cancer, foreign bodies blocked in the throat, GERD, water brash and radiation therapy.

Oropharyngeal Dysphagia

Certain medical conditions may weaken throat muscles making it hard to move the food from the mouth to the throat and esophagus when you begin to swallow. This may result in choking or coughing when you try to swallow or feel like food down the trachea or up to the nose. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is caused due to neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, neurological damage due to stroke, brain or spinal cord injury and cancer treatment like radiation.

Symptoms

• Pain while swallowing
• Difficult to swallow food or any liquids
• Regurgitation
• Heart burn
• Change in voice
• Choking or coughing while having food

Diagnosis And Treatment

The doctor may do a complete physical assessment and recommend certain test including X-ray, swallowing study, endoscopy, manometry and CT scans to diagnose dysphagia.

Treatment depends upon on the nature of the conditions, for oropharyngeal dysphagia treatment options include speech or swallowing therapies to improve the condition.

Esophageal dysphagia treatment involves esophageal dilation and surgery to clear the obstruction. Certain medications are also prescribed to lessen muscle spasm and contractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common cause of dysphagia?

Dysphagia is commonly caused by muscle or nerve disorders that affect swallowing, such as stroke or neurological conditions.

How long does dysphagia last?

The duration of dysphagia varies depending on its cause, ranging from temporary symptoms that resolve with treatment to chronic conditions requiring long-term management.

What are the 4 types of dysphagia?

The four types of dysphagia are oropharyngeal, esophageal, oropharyngeal motor, and esophageal motor.

Can I live a long life with dysphagia?

Yes, many people with dysphagia can live long lives with appropriate medical management and dietary adjustments.

Is dysphagia curable?

Dysphagia may be treatable or manageable depending on its underlying cause, though not all cases are fully curable.

Is dysphagia harmful?

Dysphagia can be harmful if left untreated, potentially leading to complications such as aspiration pneumonia or malnutrition.

Can dysphagia go away naturally?

In some cases, dysphagia may improve naturally, but it is often necessary to seek medical advice for effective management.

Is dysphagia a serious condition?

Dysphagia can be serious, particularly if it impacts nutrition, hydration, or leads to respiratory complications.

How do you reduce dysphagia?

Dysphagia can be reduced through therapies, dietary modifications, and treatments tailored to the underlying cause.

(This article is reviewed by Soumita Basu Ayurvedic Pharma Expert)

M Sowmya Binu:

With over 15 years of experience and a Postgraduate Degree in Nutrition, M Sowmya Binu is a seasoned professional. She specializes in creating personalized diet plans, emphasizing the integration of medication with dietary intake for overall wellness. Passionate about educating individuals, Sowmya develops insightful content covering food, nutrition, supplements, and health.

References:

1. Recent advances in dysphagia management

Authors: Joseph Triggs, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing1 and John Pandolfino, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editinga,1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6719674/

2. Management and Treatment for Dysphagia in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Authors: Rumi Ueha 1,2,*ORCID,Carmel Cotaoco 2,3,Kenji Kondo 2 andTatsuya Yamasoba 2,4ORCID

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/1/156