How Do You Know if You Have Dysphagia?

Maret 11, 2022 Posting Komentar

Dysphagia (Difficulty Swallowing)

Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing is a symptom of many dissimilar medical conditions. These conditions tin include nervous organisation and encephalon disorders, musculus disorders, and physical blockages in the pharynx. Treatment for swallowing issues varies depending on the cause of the effect, but can include antibiotics, changes to your eating habits and sometimes surgery.

Overview

Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that is often noted in stroke survivors. It can affect the oral and/or pharyngeal phase of swallowing.

What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is but defined as a swallowing disorder. It tin can occur in whatever of the three phases of swallowing:

Oral
Pharyngeal
Esophageal

Dysphagia is often noted in stroke survivors and can bear upon the oral and/or pharyngeal stage of swallowing. The patient may cough or asphyxiate while attempting to eat saliva, liquids, or food. A oral communication-linguistic communication pathologist often assesses a patient'south ability to swallow in order to determine the chance of aspiration, (food or liquid going into the lungs) which potentially may lead to a lung infection or pneumonia.

Stroke survivors are at take a chance for silent aspiration. Silent aspiration is when food and liquid enter into the lungs without any coughing or choking. In these patients, there are no outward signs or symptoms of a swallowing problem.

What does information technology mean to have difficulty swallowing?

When nosotros consume, many muscles and nerves work together to get food or drink from our mouths into our stomachs. Problem with swallowing can originate anywhere in the rima oris, throat or esophagus. The esophagus is a muscular tube in your throat that carries food and water to your tum.

Swallowing bug can be mild or severe. The handling varies depending on what's causing the problem. Sometimes, doctors can prescribe medication to help you swallow. If you're unable to swallow anything at all, you may need a feeding tube to get the nourishment you demand.

Possible Causes

What can cause difficulty swallowing?

Many disorders, diseases and conditions can cause trouble swallowing. Doctors split up swallowing bug into three types:

Rima oris dysphagia: The problem is in the mouth. Typical causes include tongue weakness subsequently stroke, difficulty chewing food or neuromuscular problems.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia: The trouble is in the throat. This can be a result of a neurological or muscular problem.
Esophageal dysphagia: This is a problem of the esophagus. This can be acquired when something blocks or compresses the esophagus, there's a muscular disorder or in that location are pouches in the esophagus.

What weather can cause swallowing problems?

Possible causes of swallowing difficulties can include:

Nervous system and brain disorders: Certain atmospheric condition affect your brain and nervous system (the network of nerves that controls muscles and organs). Parkinson's illness, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and stroke can lead to swallowing difficulties.
Muscle disorders: Myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune condition) and muscular dystrophy bear upon muscles all over the trunk. Disorders of the esophagus, such as achalasia, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), cricopharyngeal spasms and esophageal spasms can bear upon your ability to swallow.
Esophagus narrowing and blockages: Esophageal cancer, a tumor or a swollen thyroid gland tin constrict the esophagus (brand it narrower). A narrowed esophagus can make swallowing a challenge. Some people develop webs or Schatzki rings (pieces of tissue inside the esophagus). This tissue narrows the tube and makes it hard to swallow chunks of nutrient. Disorders of the opening of the esophagus can also contribute to difficulty swallowing such as cricopharyngeal hypertrophy. Swallowing can be difficult or impossible if anything is stuck in your throat.
Scarring from acrid reflux: Scar tissue tin class in your esophagus as a result of GERD (acid reflux disease). GERD can lead to Barrett's esophagus (irritation in the esophagus lining).
Infection: Tonsillitis (sore throat) causes pain and inflammation. It tin can make swallowing painful.

Intendance and Treatment

How is dysphagia diagnosed?

Diagnostic tests for swallowing disorders vary. Typical tests include:

Flexible laryngoscopy: This test is done by an ENT (ear, nose and pharynx) specialist. Information technology involves placing a small telescopic in your olfactory organ and looking at your throat and vocal cords.
Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES): Performed past a speech therapist, this test involves passing a small camera into your nose and feeding you lot dyed liquids and food to come across how you are swallowing. During the test, your provider will also look to see if the food is getting into your airway (aspiration).
Modified barium swallow: During this examination, a speech therapist gives you different foods and liquids to chew and swallow. The food will be covered with barium, a minty tasting liquid or pasty cloth. Barium allows images of your mouth, throat and esophagus to exist seen on X-ray images. The speech therapist volition tell you when to chew and swallow and the radiologist will accept X-ray images while you're swallowing.
Esophagram: In this exam, you drinkable barium and the radiologist takes pictures of your esophagus.
Esophagoduodenoscopy (EGD) or upper endoscopy: This test involves a healthcare provider called a gastroenterologist (GI) who places a scope downwardly your throat. The telescopic continues down your pharynx, into your esophagus and down into your tummy. This test is used to look for whatsoever narrowing, tumors or Barrett'southward esophagus.

How is dysphagia treated?

Treatment for difficulty swallowing depends on the crusade and severity of the problem. Your treatment might include:

Antibiotics: Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial tonsillitis (strep throat).
Medication and lifestyle changes: Handling for GERD includes drugs to control acrid reflux. Your doctor may besides recommend changing your diet and eating habits.
Other medical therapy: If a neurological condition makes it difficult for you to eat, your doc can offer solutions. Your options might include botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections to salvage muscle spasms or surgery to enlarge the esophagus.

What kinds of rehabilitation help with swallowing problems?

Some people notice rehabilitation helpful. A spoken language-linguistic communication pathologist (SLP) tin can teach yous exercises to strengthen your swallowing muscles. To swallow safely, your SLP may recommend:

Changing how you eat and drink: Your therapist volition guide you lot to take smaller bites and chew food thoroughly. You lot may demand to add a special thickening powder to your drinks, since watery liquids tin be tough to swallow.
Sitting upright while eating: To reduce the risk of choking, your therapist volition show you lot the best manner to sit while eating. Yous can too learn to tilt your head to make swallowing easier. These techniques reduce the risk of liquid getting into your airway (aspiration).
Clearing your throat: Therapists can teach you how to clear your throat with a little coughing if liquid or a small piece of food gets stuck.

Volition I need a feeding tube for difficulty swallowing?

If you can't go enough of the vitamins and nutrients you need, you are losing significant amounts of weight, or if you have a loftier gamble of choking, your doctor may recommend a feeding tube. This medical device delivers nutrients directly to your intestines or your stomach. Your doctor will hash out your options with you.

When to Call the Medico

When should I call my doctor nearly difficulty swallowing?

Yous should see your doctor to decide the cause of your swallowing difficulties. Call a doctor right away if you're as well having trouble breathing or call back something might be stuck in your throat. If you have sudden muscle weakness or paralysis and can't swallow at all, call 911 or go to the emergency room.