Dysphagia (patient information): Difference between revisions

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* Scarring that narrows the esophagus. This may be due to radiation, chemicals, medicines, chronic swelling, ulcers, or infection.
* Scarring that narrows the esophagus. This may be due to radiation, chemicals, medicines, chronic swelling, ulcers, or infection.
* Something stuck in the esophagus, such as a piece of food.
* Something stuck in the esophagus, such as a piece of food.
* []Scleroderma]], a disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the esophagus
* [[Scleroderma]], a disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the esophagus
* Tumors in the chest that press on the esophagus
* Tumors in the chest that press on the esophagus

Revision as of 19:28, 25 August 2012

Dysphagia

Overview

What are the symptoms of Dysphagia?

What causes Dysphagia?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to Contact a Medical Professional ?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Dysphagia?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Dysphagia On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Dysphagia

Videos on Dysphagia

FDA on Dysphagia

CDC on Dysphagia

Dysphagiain the news

Blogs on Dysphagia

Directions to Hospitals Treating Dysphagia

Risk calculators and risk factors for Dysphagia

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Swallowing involves chewing food and moving it into the back of the mouth to transport it down the esophagus, the tube that moves food to the stomach.

Difficulty with swallowing is the feeling that food or liquid is stuck in the throat or at any point before the food enters the stomach. This problem is also called dysphagia.

What are the symptoms of Dysphagia ?

Chest pain, the feeling of food stuck in the throat, or heaviness or pressure in the neck or upper or lower chest may be present, as well as:

  • Cough or wheezing that becomes worse
  • Coughing up food that has not been digested
  • Heartburn
  • Nausea
  • Sour taste in the mouth

You may have problems swallowing with any eating or drinking, or only with certain types of foods or liquids. Difficulty eating very hot or cold foods, dry crackers or bread, meat, or chicken may be an early sign of swallowing problems.

What causes Dysphagia ?

Swallowing is a complex act. Many nerves work in a fine balance to control how the muscles of the mouth, throat, and esophagus work together. Much of swallowing occurs without you being aware of what you are doing.

A brain or nerve disorder can alter this fine balance in the muscles of the mouth and throat.

Stress or anxiety may cause some people to feel tightness in the throat, or feel as if something is stuck in the throat. This is called globus hystericus.

Problems that involve the esophagus often cause swallowing problems, including:

  • An abnormal ring of tissue that forms where the esophagus and stomach meet (called Schatzki's ring)
  • Abnormal spasms of the esophagus muscles
  • Cancer of the esophagus
  • Failure of the muscle ring at the bottom of the esophagus to relax (Achalasia)
  • Scarring that narrows the esophagus. This may be due to radiation, chemicals, medicines, chronic swelling, ulcers, or infection.
  • Something stuck in the esophagus, such as a piece of food.
  • Scleroderma, a disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the esophagus
  • Tumors in the chest that press on the esophagus