Understanding Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Most of us take it for granted: Swallow something and it passes from mouth to stomach with ease. Dysphagia, the term for difficulty swallowing, affects millions of individuals, many of whom are elderly or have neurological abnormalities. Untreated, it may cause serious and life-threatening conditions, including malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia.
We know that swallowing difficulties can be an upsetting condition, which is why diagnosis and treatment are so important. Neurological disease, structural abnormalities, and cancer therapy can all produce dysphagia, which responds to expert intervention to maximise quality of life. In this blog, we’ll dive into what dysphagia is, common symptoms, its causes, and the best treatment options.
What is Dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing is known as dysphagia — it’s what makes it difficult to get food or fluid from your mouth to your stomach. Swallowing is a complicated act involving many muscles and several nerves. When any part of this is thrown off, swallowing is uncomfortable or even painful.
How Swallowing Works
- Mouth stage: Crunching and breaking food down as it is mixed with saliva to make a soft lump (bolus).
- Pharyngeal Phase: The food is pushed through the throat to the oesophagus, and the airway shuts so food can’t enter, and instead moves to the oesophagus.
- Esophageal Phase: The oesophagus squeezes the food into the stomach.
Dysphagia can interfere with one or more of these stages, rendering eating and drinking unpleasant or even dangerous.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Early recognition of dysphagia can help to avoid complications. Key symptoms include:
- Dysphagia (for solids, liquids, or both)
- Odynophagia (painful swallowing)
- The sensation of food being lodged in the chest or throat
- Coughing or choking while eating
- When you have persistent heartburn or regurgitation
- Weight loss (unexplained, as a result of eating less)
- Repeated chest infections (from aspiration)
It is crucial to get medical attention if you or someone you know exhibits these symptoms.
Causes of Dysphagia
Dysphagia can have numerous aetiologies, which can be divided into two general categories:
1. Neurological Causes
Neurological problems interrupt nerve signals necessary for swallowing. Common conditions include:
- Stroke (injures brain regions that control swallowing)
- Parkinson’s disease (muscle control)
- Multiple sclerosis (paralysis of the muscles of the throat)
- Cerebral palsy (affects muscle movements)
2. Neuromuscular Diseases of the Muscles and Structure
Blockages or muscle deficiencies may also lead to dysphagia:
- Acid reflux disease (GERD): Prolonged acid reflux can lead to oesophageal scarring.
- Narrowing of the oesophagus (oesophageal stricture): Inflammation or damage to the oesophagus causes scar tissue to form.
- Achalasia: The oesophagus does not relax; food becomes trapped.
3. Cancer and Injuries
- Tumours in the head, neck, or oesophagus can block a person’s ability to swallow.
- You may have scarring from radiation treatments.
- Nerve function is affected when there are injuries to the spine or head.
Risk Factors
Some Contributors to the Risk of Dysphagia:
- Old age (muscle loss due to getting older)
- Neurological diseases like dementia and ALS
- Previous cancer of the throat or oesophagus
- History of neck or throat surgery
Complications of Untreated Dysphagia
Otherwise, neglecting swallowing problems may result in:
- Starvation & dehydration (lack of eating and drinking)
- Food or liquid entering the lungs (Aspiration pneumonia)
- Avoidance of meals with others (social isolation)
First-aid treatment is the best way to avoid these problems.
Diagnosing Swallowing Difficulties
At Chase Lodge Hospital, our specialists use advanced diagnostic methods:
1. Medical History & Physical Exam
- Discussing symptoms and underlying conditions.
2. Swallowing Tests
- MBSS: a barium-coated substance is swallowed while images are taken using X-rays.
- Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation (FEES): The throat’s functioning is examined using a tiny camera.
2. Imaging Tests
- Endoscopy, a CT scan, or an MRI to locate any structural problems.
3. Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Assessment
- Speech-language pathologists assess swallowing mechanics and prescribe therapies.
Treatment Options
1. Medical and Therapeutic Measures
- Medications: For GERD, infections, or inflammation.
- Swallowing Therapy: The strategic swallowing exercises improve the strength of the throat muscles.
- Dietary Changes: Soft or blended meals, thickened drinks.
2. Surgical Interventions
- Dilation: Opening up narrow spots in the oesophagus.
- Tumour Excision: Surgical treatment for obstruction.
- Feeding Tubes: In severe cases (temporary or permanent).
Managing Dysphagia at Home
Simple modifications can help protect against unsafe eating:
- ✔ Eat slowly and chew completely
- ✔ Sit up while eating and for at least one hour afterwards
- ✔ Do not drink alcohol or caffeine or eat spicy foods (which may further aggravate reflux)
- ✔ Small and frequent meals are more easily swallowable
- ✔ If advised, take thickened liquids
When to Seek Medical Help
See a doctor if you have:
- Chronic problems such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Chokes or coughs repeatedly while eating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Recurrent chest infections
Conclusion
Dysphagia is not just an inconvenience — it’s a medical issue that needs to be addressed right away. Knowing its causes, symptoms, and treatments can enable you or a loved one to seek the proper care. At Chase Lodge Hospital, our specialist team offers full diagnostics and tailored interventions to enable safe swallowing and a better quality of life.
If you or someone you know has trouble swallowing, don’t wait. Early treatment can help away from serious complications. Contact our specialists here at Chase Lodge Hospital and book an appointment for a complete assessment today.
Give us a call or visit our website to book a consultation.
