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Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. A person with dysphagia takes more time and effort than usual to move food from the mouth to the stomach, and may feel that food is caught in the throat or chest.
Dysphagia is not a disease in itself. It is usually the result of malfunctioning systems in the body, and the underlying cause can range from a nerve or brain condition to a physical problem with the esophagus. Because it can lead to unintentional weight loss, persistent difficulty swallowing should be evaluated by a gastroenterologist.
Dysphagia is usually the result of malfunctioning systems in the body. There are two types of dysphagia.
This form of dysphagia revolves around difficulty starting to swallow. The problem arises because the brain fails to communicate properly with the nerves of the mouth or throat. Breakdowns of this nature are seen in patients with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS), or in those who have had a stroke.
This form of dysphagia arises from a physical problem with the esophagus. Such problems include scarring, inflammation, narrowing, or blockage. The impact of these structural conditions makes a person feel like food is caught in their throat or chest. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and Barrett’s esophagus are two conditions resulting in physical problems that make it hard to swallow.
Inflammatory conditions can narrow the esophagus too. Crohn’s disease can inflame any part of the digestive tract between the mouth and the anus, and although it is uncommon, that includes the esophagus — producing difficulty swallowing, pain on swallowing, heartburn and discomfort behind the breastbone. Read more about Crohn’s disease and the throat and esophagus. Eosinophilic esophagitis, an allergic inflammation of the esophagus, is another cause worth ruling out — see eosinophilic esophagitis.
Orlando Gastroenterology physicians prescribe different types of treatment for dysphagia. These include modifying eating habits, medication, dilation of the esophagus, and endoscopy to remove physical obstructions.
See your Orlando Gastroenterology physician if you experience problems swallowing.
