Dysphagia

Dysphagia is a condition that can turn the simple act of eating and drinking into a stressful or painful experience. North Shore Gastroenterology provides expert diagnosis and personalized treatment for patients struggling with swallowing disorders.

A woman clutching her throat in pain, representing symptoms of dysphagia or difficulty swallowing food and liquid.

What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It means it takes more time and effort to move food or liquid from your mouth to your stomach. In severe cases, you may not be able to swallow at all.

While occasional difficulty swallowing is not usually a cause for concern, persistent dysphagia can indicate a serious medical condition requiring treatment.

Dysphagia is generally categorized into two types based on where the problem occurs:

The problem is in the mouth or throat, making it difficult to start the swallowing process. This is often related to neurological or muscular issues.

The sensation of food getting stuck or "hanging up" in the chest or lower throat after you have started to swallow. This is often caused by a blockage or irritation in the esophagus.

Causes of Dysphagia

Swallowing is a complex process involving 50 pairs of muscles and many nerves. A problem anywhere in this process can lead to dysphagia.

Common causes include:

Chronic acid backup can cause strictures (narrowing) or inflammation in the esophagus.

Achalasia is a rare condition where the lower esophageal muscle (sphincter) doesn't relax properly to let food into the stomach.

Conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or muscular dystrophy can weaken the muscles used for swallowing.

Tumors, such as those caused by esophageal cancer, can grow large enough to physically block the passage of food, making it difficult or impossible to swallow.

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an immune system reaction to food, causing an overpopulation of white blood cells in the esophagus, leading to inflammation and difficulty swallowing.

Small sacs in the throat or esophagus can collect food particles and cause obstruction.

Symptoms of Dysphagia

The primary symptom is the sensation that food or liquid is not going down properly. However, dysphagia can present with a variety of other signs.

Common symptoms include:

  • Pain while swallowing.
  • Sensation of food getting stuck in the throat or chest.
  • Drooling or inability to control saliva.
  • Hoarseness of the voice.
  • Regurgitation of food or stomach acid.
  • Frequent heartburn.
  • Coughing or gagging when swallowing.
  • Unexplained weight loss due to reduced food intake.
  • Recurrent Pneumonia: Aspiration pneumonia can occur if food or liquid enters the lungs instead of the stomach.

Diagnosing Dysphagia

Because dysphagia can be caused by a wide range of conditions, a precise diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.

Diagnostic procedures typically include:

The patient swallows a solution containing barium, which coats the inside of their esophagus, allowing it to show up clearly on X-rays. This helps visualize strictures, blockages, or muscular coordination issues.

A thin, flexible tube with a camera is passed down the patient's throat to visually examine the esophagus. The doctor can also take tissue samples to check for inflammation or cancer.

A test that measures the rhythmic muscle contractions of the esophagus when you swallow. It helps diagnose motility disorders like achalasia.

Tests to measure how often stomach acid enters the esophagus and how long it stays there.

Treatment and Management Options

Treatment for dysphagia depends entirely on the underlying cause and the type of swallowing difficulty you have.

Treatment strategies include:

If the esophagus is narrowed or the sphincter is too tight, the doctor may use an endoscope with a special balloon to gently stretch and widen the esophagus.

Prescription medications can help reduce stomach acid or treat underlying infections or inflammation.

Modifying the texture of foods or liquids can make swallowing safer and easier. Working with a speech-language pathologist may also be recommended to learn swallowing exercises.

In cases of severe blockages, tumors, or diverticula, surgical intervention may be necessary to clear the path for food.

For conditions where the esophageal muscles are too tight, Botox® can be injected to temporarily relax them.

A stent may be used to prop open a narrowed or blocked esophagus.

Find Treatment for Dysphagia in Westlake or Brooklyn, OH

Swallowing difficulties can be both alarming and disruptive, but the specialists at North Shore Gastroenterology are here to offer expert evaluation and advanced care, helping you regain confidence in eating and drinking.

Contact us today at (440) 808-1212 or request an appointment online to schedule a visit.