Dysphagia
Have you ever experienced difficulty swallowing food or liquids? Do you know someone who does? This common but often overlooked condition is known as a swallowing disorder or dysphagia.
Have you ever experienced difficulty swallowing food or liquids? Do you know someone who does? This common but often overlooked condition is known as a swallowing disorder or dysphagia.
Swallowing disorders, or dysphagia, occur when the normal swallowing process is disrupted. This can happen at any stage of swallowing, including the oral phase (chewing and moving food to the back of the mouth), the pharyngeal phase (swallowing and moving food through the throat), or the esophageal phase (moving food through the esophagus to the stomach).
There are many potential causes of swallowing disorders, including:
Different types of neurological disorders, such as ALS, stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis
Structural issues like a narrowed esophagus or a tumor blocking the throat
Muscular disorders affecting the muscles involved in swallowing
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Post cancer treatment
Side effects of certain medications
Emotional conditions such as anxiety or depression.
The symptoms of a swallowing disorder may vary. Common symptoms may include:
Coughing or choking while eating or drinking
fullness feeling in the throat
Regurgitation of food or liquids
Pain or discomfort while swallowing
Unexplained weight loss
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, contact your physician and book an appointment with a licensed speech pathologist.