Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty swallowing, also known as Dysphagia, is a medical condition characterized by problems in swallowing food or liquid. The pronunciation of Dysphagia is /dɪsˈfeɪdʒə/. The term originates from the Greek words "dys" meaning bad or difficult, and "phagia" meaning to eat.
Symptoms
Symptoms of difficulty swallowing can vary among individuals. They may include:
- Pain while swallowing, also known as odynophagia
- Inability to swallow
- Sensation of food getting stuck in the throat or chest, or behind the breastbone
- Drooling
- Hoarseness
- Regurgitation
- Frequent heartburn
- Sudden weight loss
- Coughing or gagging when swallowing
- Pneumonia or recurrent chest infections
Causes
Difficulty swallowing can be caused by various conditions, including:
- Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Esophageal disorders such as achalasia, esophageal stricture, and esophageal cancer
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Stroke
- Aging process
Treatment
Treatment for difficulty swallowing depends on the underlying cause. It may include:
- Medications to treat underlying conditions such as GERD
- Speech therapy to learn new swallowing techniques
- Dietary changes to make swallowing easier
- Surgery in severe cases
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Difficulty swallowing
- Wikipedia's article - Difficulty swallowing
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