What Is Dysphagia (Swallowing Difficulty)?

Swallowing Difficulty (Dysphagia): What Is It? Swallowing is an innate reflex we are born with. It is quite complex. We may feel the need to swallow for many reasons, but we use it most when eating. If we have begun to experience difficulty swallowing while eating, there can be many causes, and it can make our daily lives unbearable. Ferhat Oğuz, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist at Avrasya Hospital, explained what needs to be known about dysphagia, or swallowing difficulty as it is known among the public. Dysphagia, or swallowing difficulty as it is known, refers to a condition where food and beverages taken require more time and effort than normal to move from the mouth to the stomach. In some cases, swallowing difficulty may even be accompanied by pain. In advanced stages, swallowing food and beverages can become impossible. Swallowing difficulty generally seen when food is consumed too quickly or not sufficiently chewed should be treated medically when it becomes persistent. Swallowing difficulty seen at all ages is more common in the elderly.

Causes of Dysphagia

Swallowing difficulty can occur when the organs involved in swallowing activities have impaired function due to infection, tumoral, metabolic, neurological, congenital and other causes. Apart from this;

• If the tonsils are swollen and the esophagus is very narrowed, there will be difficulty swallowing.
• Weakness in the muscles of the esophagus can also cause swallowing difficulty.
• Barrett's esophagus manifests itself with swallowing difficulty and a feeling of food getting stuck.
• Inflammation in the esophagus can be a cause of dysphagia.
• Swallowing difficulty can occur due to certain muscular diseases (such as Guillain-Barré syndrome).
• Swallowing difficulty and a sensation of food getting stuck in the throat can result from certain allergic causes.
• Swallowing difficulty and a sensation of food getting stuck in the throat can be seen due to certain stomach diseases.
• The most critical cause is tumors found in the passage area of the swallowing action. A tumor that manifests itself with solid foods becomes more difficult as it progresses, making it harder to consume liquid foods as well.

Pay Attention to These Symptoms!

• Pain during swallowing,
• Increased saliva in the mouth,
• Sensation of food getting stuck in the throat,
• Heartburn,
• Sensation of discomfort in the throat and chest,
• Food coming back up,
• Accumulation of food and stomach acid in the throat,
• Sudden weight loss can be counted among these symptoms.

Symptoms of Dysphagia in Infants and Children;

• Lack of attention during breastfeeding and eating,
• Refusal to eat,
• Irritability during eating or sucking,
• Choking, coughing, or vomiting during eating or sucking,
• Slow weight gain and growth, etc.

How Is Dysphagia Diagnosed?

A person who observes swallowing difficulty in themselves or their child must consult a gastroenterologist, ear, nose and throat specialist, or general surgeon. To diagnose swallowing difficulty or sensation of food getting stuck in the throat, methods such as blood tests, endoscopic gastroscopy examination, barium X-ray, clinical examination, and the patient's medical history are used to identify the cause of the swallowing difficulty. If the doctor suspects a tumor or cancer, oncological evaluations are required.

What Happens During Treatment?

Different methods are applied in the treatment process, which varies depending on the severity of the disease and the patient's condition. If swallowing difficulty is occurring due to a brain-related cause, treating it is not very feasible. This is because it is difficult for paralyzed muscles to become active again. In these patients, the stomach is connected to the abdominal wall to create an opening through which the patient is fed. If dysphagia results from infection, antibiotics, oral and throat antiseptic gargles and sprays can be used. In treating swallowing difficulty due to tonsil swelling, treatments such as treating the inflammatory condition causing the tonsil swelling or surgical removal of the tonsils are applied. If it occurs due to muscular diseases, swallowing difficulty can be prevented through physical therapy.