Feeding difficulties
Feeding Difficulties
Feeding difficulties (/ˈfiːdɪŋ dɪˈfɪkəltiz/), also known as Dysphagia, is a medical condition characterized by problems with eating and swallowing. The term is derived from the Latin words "feed" and "difficulty", indicating the struggle involved in the act of eating.
Causes
Feeding difficulties can be caused by a variety of factors, including Neurological disorders, Physical abnormalities, Behavioral issues, and Gastrointestinal problems.
Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders such as Cerebral Palsy or Stroke can affect the muscles involved in swallowing, leading to feeding difficulties.
Physical Abnormalities
Physical abnormalities in the mouth, throat, or esophagus, such as Cleft Lip and Palate or Esophageal Atresia, can also cause feeding difficulties.
Behavioral Issues
Behavioral issues, such as Food Aversion or Selective Eating Disorder, can lead to feeding difficulties as well.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Gastrointestinal problems, such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or Eosinophilic Esophagitis, can cause discomfort during eating, leading to feeding difficulties.
Treatment
Treatment for feeding difficulties depends on the underlying cause and may involve Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nutritional Therapy, or Surgery.
Speech Therapy
Speech Therapy can help improve muscle control and coordination for swallowing.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy can help improve the skills needed for eating and drinking.
Nutritional Therapy
Nutritional Therapy can help ensure that the individual is getting the necessary nutrients, despite feeding difficulties.
Surgery
In some cases, Surgery may be necessary to correct physical abnormalities causing feeding difficulties.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Feeding difficulties
- Wikipedia's article - Feeding difficulties
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski