Esophageal dysphagia: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:26, 15 February 2025

Overview

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

Esophageal dysphagia can be caused by several conditions, including:

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.

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.

Achalasia

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 is an allergic condition characterized by the presence of eosinophils in the esophagus, leading to inflammation and dysphagia.

Symptoms

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

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

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.

Related Pages

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-'''Esophageal dysphagia''' is a medical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing due to problems in the esophagus. This condition can be caused by various factors, including [[esophageal stricture]], [[esophageal cancer]], and [[gastroesophageal reflux disease]] (GERD).
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Esophageal Dysphagia}}
+== Overview ==
+[[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 ==
-Esophageal dysphagia can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
+Esophageal dysphagia can be caused by several conditions, including:
-* '''[[Esophageal stricture]]''': This is a narrowing of the esophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing. It can be caused by inflammation, scarring, or tumors.
+=== Peptic Stricture ===
+[[File:Peptic_stricture.png|thumb|right|Peptic stricture of the esophagus]]
+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]]''': This is a type of cancer that occurs in the esophagus. It can cause difficulty swallowing, especially as the cancer progresses.
+=== 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.
-* '''[[Gastroesophageal reflux disease]] (GERD)''': This is a condition in which stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation and potentially leading to esophageal dysphagia.
+=== Achalasia ===
+[[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]] is an allergic condition characterized by the presence of eosinophils in the esophagus, leading to inflammation and dysphagia.
 == Symptoms ==
-The main symptom of esophageal dysphagia is difficulty swallowing, which can manifest as a feeling of food stuck in the throat or chest, pain when swallowing, or the inability to swallow. Other symptoms can include weight loss, chest pain, and regurgitation of food or liquids.
+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 ==
-Diagnosis of esophageal dysphagia typically involves a physical examination and a review of the patient's medical history. Additional tests may include an [[endoscopy]], [[barium swallow]], or [[esophageal manometry]].
+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 ==
-Treatment for esophageal dysphagia depends on the underlying cause. Options may include medication, dilation of the esophagus, surgery, or lifestyle changes such as dietary modifications.
+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.
-== See also ==
+== Related Pages ==
-* [[Dysphagia]]
+* [[Gastroesophageal reflux disease]]
-* [[Oropharyngeal dysphagia]]
+* [[Esophageal cancer]]
-* [[Esophageal diseases]]
+* [[Achalasia]]
+* [[Eosinophilic esophagitis]]
 [[Category:Gastroenterology]]
-[[Category:Esophagus]]
+[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Digestive system and abdomen]]
-[[Category:Dysphagia]]
-{{stub}}
-{{dictionary-stub1}}