Dysphagia is a condition that mainly causes difficulties with swallowing. People who have this condition will often need more time and effort to move liquids or foods from their mouths to their stomachs. Some people with dysphagia experience pain when swallowing, and in severe cases, swallowing may even be impossible. While everybody can experience some difficulty swallowing from time to time, for example, if you have not chewed your food enough, persistent difficulty in swallowing food or drinks could be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition.
Symptoms of Dysphagia
People with this condition may experience a range of different symptoms. Pain when swallowing, struggling or being completely unable to swallow, bringing food back up after eating, a hoarse voice, drooling, and a sensation of food being stuck in the throat are some common dysphagia symptoms. In addition, some people with this condition might cough or gag a lot when swallowing. They may also experience frequent heartburn and fast, unhealthy weight loss from a lack of nutrition.
Causes of Dysphagia
Swallowing food or liquid is a more complex process than you might realize, and there are several different factors that could be making it difficult for somebody to swallow. There are two different dysphagia types. Esophageal dysphagia causes a sensation of food becoming stuck in the throat after the person starts to swallow, while oropharyngeal dysphagia causes a weakness of the throat muscles that makes the process of swallowing difficult. Both types of this condition can have various causes including foreign bodies blocking the throat, esophageal tumors, cancer, radiation therapy, neurological damage or disorders, or achalasia. Older people will often have a higher risk of developing dysphagia, as the natural aging process causes wear and tear on the esophagus.
Getting Medical Attention
It is important to make an appointment with your doctor if you are persistently struggling to swallow or are regurgitating, vomiting, or losing weight rapidly. If you have an obstruction in your throat that is causing swallowing difficulties, which also leads to trouble breathing, get attention at the nearest urgent care center or emergency room.
Treatment and Prevention
While it’s impossible to completely prevent dysphagia from developing, you can reduce your risk of having difficulty swallowing by making sure to chew your food well and eating slowly. Early detection of the symptoms can reduce the risk of developing dysphagia as the earlier you can get treatment, the better. If you have been diagnosed with this condition, there are various treatment options to try. SimplyThick offers specialized foods that are easy to swallow to make sure that you are getting the right nutrients from your diet and avoid the other symptoms that might accompany dysphagia such as weight loss and weakness.
Most people might have trouble swallowing from time to time if they haven’t chewed their food enough. However, if this issue persists and starts to lead to other symptoms, it could be a sign of dysphagia. If you suspect that you might have this condition, it’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible.
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