Odynophagia
Odynophagia
Odynophagia (pronounced: oh-dyn-oh-fay-gee-uh) is a medical term that refers to pain when swallowing. The term is derived from the Greek words "odune" meaning pain and "phagein" meaning to eat.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of odynophagia is a painful sensation when swallowing, which can occur in the mouth, throat, or esophagus. This pain can be sharp, burning, or cramping, and it may be felt immediately upon swallowing or may be delayed. Other symptoms can include dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), heartburn, cough, and weight loss.
Causes
Odynophagia can be caused by a variety of conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and cancer of the mouth, throat, or esophagus. It can also be caused by physical injury to the throat or esophagus, such as from swallowing a sharp object or from radiation therapy.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of odynophagia typically involves a physical examination and a review of the patient's medical history. Additional tests may be needed to determine the underlying cause of the pain, such as an endoscopy to examine the esophagus, a barium swallow to visualize the swallowing process, or a biopsy to check for cancer.
Treatment
Treatment for odynophagia depends on the underlying cause of the pain. This can include medications to reduce inflammation or treat infection, dietary changes to avoid triggering foods, or surgery to remove tumors or repair damage to the throat or esophagus.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Odynophagia
- Wikipedia's article - Odynophagia
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