The medical term for difficulty swallowing is dysphagia. Dysphagia is sometimes a painful disorder. Certain situations make swallowing impossible.
Occasionally having trouble swallowing—for example, when you eat too quickly or don’t chew your food thoroughly—usually doesn’t mean anything serious. However, persistent dysphagia may be a dangerous illness that requires medical attention.
Although dysphagia can occur at any age, older adults are more likely to experience it. Treatment for swallowing issues is based on the underlying cause, which varies.
Symptoms
A few signs of dysphagia are as follows:
- Pain while swallowing.
- Not being able to swallow.
- Feeling as if food is stuck in the throat or chest or behind the breastbone.
- Drooling.
- Hoarseness.
- Food coming back up, called regurgitation.
- Frequent heartburn
- Food or stomach acid backing up into the throat.
- Loss of weight
- Coughing or gagging when swallowing.
Causes
Swallowing is a multi-muscled, multi-nerve process. Dysphagia can be brought on by any illness that weakens or damages these muscles and nerves or narrows the oesophagus or back of the throat.
Most cases of dysphagia fit into one of the following categories.
Dysphagia esophageal
The feeling that food sticks or gets trapped in the base of the throat or in the chest after swallowing is known as esophageal dysphagia. Following are a few reasons of esophageal dysphagia:
Achalasia. Achalasia is a condition that leads to trouble swallowing. It is difficult for the oesophagus to push food and liquids into the stomach when there is damage to the muscles or nerves. Over time, achalasia typically gets worse.
Esophageal spasm This disorder results in irregularly timed, high-pressure esophageal contractions, usually following swallowing. The lower esophageal wall’s involuntary muscles are impacted by esophageal spasm.
A narrowed oesophagus. Large food fragments can become trapped in a narrowed oesophagus known as a stricture. Narrowing can be caused by tumours or scar tissue, which are frequently brought on by GERD.
Esophageal tumors. Swallowing difficulties usually worsen over time when esophageal tumours are present. The oesophagus gradually narrows due to growing tumours.
Foreign bodies. Partially blocking the throat or oesophagus can occasionally be caused by food or another object. Food fragments getting lodged in the throat or oesophagus may be more common in older adults wearing dentures and in those who have trouble chewing.
Esophageal ring. Occasionally, a small area of narrowing in the lower oesophagus can make it difficult to swallow solid food.
GERD. The tissues lining the oesophagus may sustain damage from stomach acid backing up into it. This may result in lower esophageal spasm, scarring, or constriction.
Eosinophilic esophagitis. Eosinophilic esophagitis is a disease of the immune system. It is brought on by an accumulation of white blood cells in the oesophagus known as eosinophils.
Scleroderma. Tissues become stiffer and harder due to the development of scar-like tissue brought on by scleroderma. The lower esophageal sphincter may become weaker as a result. Acid backs up into the oesophagus as a result, frequently causing heartburn.
Radiation treatment. This cancer treatment may cause esophageal scarring and inflammation.
Dysphagia of the oropharynx
When swallowing, food may be difficult to pass from the mouth into the throat and oesophagus due to conditions that weaken the throat muscles. When trying to swallow, a person may choke, gag, cough, or feel as though food or liquids are going up their nose or down their trachea, or windpipe. Pneumonia may result from this.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia can be caused by:
Neurological conditions. Certain disorders — such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease — can cause dysphagia.
Harm to the nervous system. Swallowing can be impacted by sudden neurological damage, such as that caused by a stroke or injury to the brain or spinal cord.
Zenker diverticulum, another name for pharyngoesophageal diverticulum Food particles get trapped in a little pouch called a diverticulum that forms in the throat, usually right above the oesophagus. This can cause gurgling sounds, bad breath, and frequent coughing or clearing of the throat.
Cancer. Swallowing problems may result from specific cancers and some cancer treatments, such as radiation.
Prevention
While it is not possible to completely prevent swallowing difficulties, you can lower your chance of experiencing them on occasion by eating slowly and thoroughly chewing your food. See a medical practitioner, nevertheless, if you exhibit dysphagia symptoms.
