Dysphagia
Dysphagia is the term used for the condition where people have trouble swallowing. It’s relatively common, especially in the US, where around fifteen million people are affected by it. While a medical condition can cause it, it can also be temporary and apparent by itself without any medication or other treatment options. However, if it persists, it’s a sign to see your doctor immediately.
Based on the NIDCD, fifty pairs of nerves and muscles are used to help the action of swallowing. As such, various things can go wrong, leading to the condition. These include GERD, heartburn, goiter, esophagitis, hernia, Zenker’s diverticulum, infectious mononucleosis, herpes esophagitis, and thyroid nodules. Other conditions that may give rise to it resulting from conditions or their treatments are stroke, dementia, throat cancer, head injury, Parkinson’s, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Those with dysphagia typically have other symptoms beyond swallowing difficulties, such as drooling, hoarse voice, regurgitation, weight loss, coughing, throat pain, and recurrent pneumonia. Because of these sensations, it’s not uncommon for people to experience appetite loss, skip meals, or avoid eating altogether. Therefore, physical exams, barium x-rays, and video fluoroscopy are some of the tests that may be ordered to diagnose dysphagia.
