What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is a medical condition that causes a person to have problems swallowing. Weak muscles in the mouth and throat areas can cause the problem. A restricted amount of saliva production, problems with the brain affecting the body's nervous system, or damage in a person's esophagus can also cause dysphagia.

Those most commonly affected by dysphagia are the elderly, those who have had a stroke, individuals with multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease, and people with Alzheimer's disease. Those who suffer from nervous system disorders or head, neck, and spinal cord injuries are also more prone to dysphagia. In addition, individuals who have had internal burns from poisoning or radiotherapy, as well as people who have an infection or other problems in the mouth or throat area, are more likely to develop dysphagia.

There are many different methods for determining whether a person has dysphagia. People with dysphagia may seem to swallow constantly, cough all the time, clear their throats on a regular basis, have saliva and food fall out of their mouth while eating, or find it easier to eat slowly. Most of the time, however, people do not want to admit they have a problem swallowing, which is why many common symptoms of dysphagia go unnoticed and the disorder is often left untreated.

The symptoms of dysphagia can range from mild to severe. If food and liquid always tends to feel stuck in the esophagus, then dysphagia may be at a severe level. Any sort of pain as food travels to the stomach also indicates an acute case of dysphagia.

Severe dysphagia can be problematic because it can lead to improperly digested food. This can cause a person to have a decreased level of vitamin and mineral absorption. In the worst case scenario, dysphagia can lead to a serious case of pneumonia.

Dysphagia is treatable, although not always curable. A medical doctor can suggest methods to alleviate the discomfort associated with eating, drinking, and swallowing for those with dysphagia. Primary treatments include changing the foods one eats and learning how to swallow differently. For the worst cases of dysphagia, surgery may be an option.