Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can be intermittent or persistent and may indicate an underlying medical condition. Oropharyngeal dysphagia occurs before the esophagus and can result in coughing or choking, while esophageal dysphagia causes food and liquids to get stuck in the chest or lower throat. Diagnosis may involve a barium x-ray or endoscope, and treatment depends on the cause, ranging from exercises to surgery or medication.
Swallowing problems are often referred to as dysphagia, which is a condition characterized by difficulty swallowing. Some people experience such problems on an intermittent basis, such as when they eat too fast. Persistent difficulty swallowing, however, may be a sign of an underlying condition that may require medical treatment.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia refers to swallowing problems that occur before food or liquid reaches the esophagus, the tube under the throat that leads to the stomach. This type of swallowing difficulty often results in coughing or choking. Swallowing problems that occur in the throat are more common in older people and can be a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, brain injury, a blockage in the throat, or other medical conditions.
Esophageal dysphagia is a swallowing problem that causes food and liquids to get stuck in the chest or lower throat. Sometimes particles and fluids come up through the throat and into the mouth. Swallowing problems in the esophagus are often a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or other esophageal problems, such as inflammation or cancer.
People who have trouble swallowing properly may also experience pain or discomfort when they eat or drink. The sensation of an object or a lump in the throat or chest is also common. Some individuals with dysphagia experience weight loss and nutritional deficiencies due to not being able to eat as much of the foods they need to. Respiratory problems, such as pneumonia and other infections, concern people who breathe in liquids or small particles of food due to choking or coughing when they try to swallow.
Doctors may perform a series of tests to determine the underlying cause of a patient’s swallowing problems. A barium x-ray typically allows a doctor to view the esophagus and evaluate how it works when the patient tries to swallow. The patient drinks a barium solution before the x-ray, so that it coats the esophagus, allowing the doctor to see it clearly. In some cases, a doctor will insert a thin, flexible instrument with a light on the end, called an endoscope, into your throat to view it and diagnose potential problems.
Treatment for dysphagia depends on the cause. Some patients are able to strengthen their throat muscles with exercises taught by a speech therapist. You may need surgery to remove tumors and other foreign bodies. GERD patients can take prescription medications to reduce stomach acid and relieve symptoms. In severe cases, a special liquid diet or a tube inserted into the stomach may be required to deliver nutrients, although this is rare.
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