Esophageal dysphagia: Difference between revisions
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
CSV import |
CSV import |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Esophageal dysphagia | |||
| image = [[File:Peptic_stricture.png|250px]] | |||
| caption = Barium swallow showing a peptic stricture, a common cause of esophageal dysphagia | |||
| field = [[Gastroenterology]] | |||
| symptoms = Difficulty swallowing, sensation of food stuck in the throat or chest | |||
| complications = [[Aspiration pneumonia]], [[malnutrition]] | |||
| onset = Can be sudden or gradual | |||
| duration = Varies depending on cause | |||
| causes = [[Gastroesophageal reflux disease|GERD]], [[esophageal stricture]], [[esophageal cancer]], [[achalasia]], [[esophagitis]] | |||
| risks = [[Aging]], [[smoking]], [[alcohol consumption]], [[obesity]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Barium swallow]], [[endoscopy]], [[esophageal manometry]] | |||
| differential = [[Oropharyngeal dysphagia]], [[globus sensation]] | |||
| treatment = Depends on cause; may include [[dietary modification]], [[esophageal dilation]], [[proton pump inhibitors]], [[surgery]] | |||
| medication = [[Proton pump inhibitors]], [[calcium channel blockers]] | |||
| frequency = Common, especially in older adults | |||
| deaths = Rare, but complications can be serious | |||
}} | |||
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Esophageal Dysphagia}} | {{DISPLAYTITLE:Esophageal Dysphagia}} | ||
== Introduction == | |||
== | |||
[[Esophageal dysphagia]] refers to difficulty in swallowing due to problems in the esophagus. It is a common symptom that can result from various underlying conditions affecting the esophagus, such as structural abnormalities, motility disorders, or inflammation. | [[Esophageal dysphagia]] refers to difficulty in swallowing due to problems in the esophagus. It is a common symptom that can result from various underlying conditions affecting the esophagus, such as structural abnormalities, motility disorders, or inflammation. | ||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
Esophageal dysphagia can be caused by several conditions, including: | Esophageal dysphagia can be caused by several conditions, including: | ||
=== Peptic Stricture === | === Peptic Stricture === | ||
A [[peptic stricture]] is a narrowing of the esophagus due to damage from stomach acid. This condition often results from chronic [[gastroesophageal reflux disease]] (GERD), where acid from the stomach frequently backs up into the esophagus, causing inflammation and scarring. | A [[peptic stricture]] is a narrowing of the esophagus due to damage from stomach acid. This condition often results from chronic [[gastroesophageal reflux disease]] (GERD), where acid from the stomach frequently backs up into the esophagus, causing inflammation and scarring. | ||
=== Esophageal Cancer === | === Esophageal Cancer === | ||
[[Esophageal cancer]] can cause dysphagia as the tumor grows and obstructs the passage of food. It is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. | [[Esophageal cancer]] can cause dysphagia as the tumor grows and obstructs the passage of food. It is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. | ||
=== Achalasia === | === Achalasia === | ||
[[Achalasia]] is a motility disorder where the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax properly, leading to difficulty in swallowing both solids and liquids. | [[Achalasia]] is a motility disorder where the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax properly, leading to difficulty in swallowing both solids and liquids. | ||
=== Eosinophilic Esophagitis === | === Eosinophilic Esophagitis === | ||
[[Eosinophilic esophagitis]] is an allergic condition characterized by the presence of eosinophils in the esophagus, leading to inflammation and dysphagia. | [[Eosinophilic esophagitis]] is an allergic condition characterized by the presence of eosinophils in the esophagus, leading to inflammation and dysphagia. | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
The primary symptom of esophageal dysphagia is difficulty swallowing. Patients may experience: | The primary symptom of esophageal dysphagia is difficulty swallowing. Patients may experience: | ||
| Line 26: | Line 37: | ||
* Regurgitation of food | * Regurgitation of food | ||
* Unintentional weight loss | * Unintentional weight loss | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
Diagnosis of esophageal dysphagia typically involves: | Diagnosis of esophageal dysphagia typically involves: | ||
| Line 32: | Line 42: | ||
* [[Endoscopy]]: A procedure using a flexible tube with a camera to directly view the esophagus. | * [[Endoscopy]]: A procedure using a flexible tube with a camera to directly view the esophagus. | ||
* [[Esophageal manometry]]: A test to measure the rhythmic muscle contractions of the esophagus. | * [[Esophageal manometry]]: A test to measure the rhythmic muscle contractions of the esophagus. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the dysphagia: | Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the dysphagia: | ||
| Line 38: | Line 47: | ||
* [[Proton pump inhibitors]] (PPIs) are often used to reduce acid production in GERD. | * [[Proton pump inhibitors]] (PPIs) are often used to reduce acid production in GERD. | ||
* Surgical options may be considered for achalasia or esophageal cancer. | * Surgical options may be considered for achalasia or esophageal cancer. | ||
== See Also == | |||
== | |||
* [[Gastroesophageal reflux disease]] | * [[Gastroesophageal reflux disease]] | ||
* [[Esophageal cancer]] | * [[Esophageal cancer]] | ||
* [[Achalasia]] | * [[Achalasia]] | ||
* [[Eosinophilic esophagitis]] | * [[Eosinophilic esophagitis]] | ||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | [[Category:Gastroenterology]] | ||
[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Digestive system and abdomen]] | [[Category:Symptoms and signs: Digestive system and abdomen]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:55, 6 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Esophageal dysphagia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Difficulty swallowing, sensation of food stuck in the throat or chest |
| Complications | Aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition |
| Onset | Can be sudden or gradual |
| Duration | Varies depending on cause |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | GERD, esophageal stricture, esophageal cancer, achalasia, esophagitis |
| Risks | Aging, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity |
| Diagnosis | Barium swallow, endoscopy, esophageal manometry |
| Differential diagnosis | Oropharyngeal dysphagia, globus sensation |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Depends on cause; may include dietary modification, esophageal dilation, proton pump inhibitors, surgery |
| Medication | Proton pump inhibitors, calcium channel blockers |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Common, especially in older adults |
| Deaths | Rare, but complications can be serious |
Introduction[edit]
Esophageal dysphagia refers to difficulty in swallowing due to problems in the esophagus. It is a common symptom that can result from various underlying conditions affecting the esophagus, such as structural abnormalities, motility disorders, or inflammation.
Causes[edit]
Esophageal dysphagia can be caused by several conditions, including:
Peptic Stricture[edit]
A peptic stricture is a narrowing of the esophagus due to damage from stomach acid. This condition often results from chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where acid from the stomach frequently backs up into the esophagus, causing inflammation and scarring.
Esophageal Cancer[edit]
Esophageal cancer can cause dysphagia as the tumor grows and obstructs the passage of food. It is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention.
Achalasia[edit]
Achalasia is a motility disorder where the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax properly, leading to difficulty in swallowing both solids and liquids.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis[edit]
Eosinophilic esophagitis is an allergic condition characterized by the presence of eosinophils in the esophagus, leading to inflammation and dysphagia.
Symptoms[edit]
The primary symptom of esophageal dysphagia is difficulty swallowing. Patients may experience:
- A sensation of food being stuck in the throat or chest
- Painful swallowing
- Regurgitation of food
- Unintentional weight loss
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of esophageal dysphagia typically involves:
- Barium swallow: An X-ray examination where the patient swallows a barium solution to visualize the esophagus.
- Endoscopy: A procedure using a flexible tube with a camera to directly view the esophagus.
- Esophageal manometry: A test to measure the rhythmic muscle contractions of the esophagus.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the dysphagia:
- For peptic strictures, esophageal dilation may be performed to widen the narrowed area.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often used to reduce acid production in GERD.
- Surgical options may be considered for achalasia or esophageal cancer.
