What are the symptoms of swallowing disorders?
• drooling
• a feeling that food or liquid is sticking in the throat
• discomfort in the throat or chest (when gastro esophageal reflux is present)
• a sensation of a foreign body or “lump” in the throat
• weight loss and inadequate nutrition due to prolonged or more significant problems with swallowing
• coughing or choking caused by bits of food, liquid, or saliva not passing easily during swallowing, and being sucked into the lungs
• voice change
How are swallowing disorders diagnosed?
When dysphagia is persistent and the cause is not apparent, the otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon ( ENT ) will discuss the history of your problem and examine your mouth and throat. This may be done with the aid of mirrors. Sometimes a small tube (flexible laryngoscope) is placed through the nose and the patient is then given food to eat while the scope is in place in the throat. These procedures provide visualization of the back of the tongue, throat, and larynx (voice box).
What causes swallowing disorders?
Difficulty in swallowing may be due to a range of other causes, including something as simple as poor teeth, ill fitting dentures, or a common cold. One of the most common causes of swallowing disorders is gastro esophageal reflux and sinusitis & post nasal drip.
Gastro Esophageal Reflux, occurs when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus and to the larynx ( Voice box ). Symptoms include irritation in the throat, frequent throat clearing, sticky/lump feeling in the throat, difficulty in swallowing etc.Gastro esophageal reflux can often be treated by changing eating and living habits in these ways:
• Eat a bland diet with smaller, more frequent meals.
• Eliminate tobacco, alcohol and caffeine.
• Reduce weight and stress.
• Avoid food within three hours of bedtime.
• Elevate the head of the bed at night.
If these don’t help, antacids between meals and at bedtime may provide relief.
Sinusitis with post nasal drip: Post-nasal drip often leads to a sore, irritated throat. Although there is usually no infection, the tonsils and other tissues in the throat may swell. This can cause discomfort or a feeling that there is a lump in the throat.
Other causes may include: hypertension; diabetes; thyroid disease; stroke; progressive neurologic disorder; the presence of a tracheotomy tube; a paralyzed or unmoving vocal cord; a tumor in the mouth, throat, or esophagus; or surgery in the head, neck, or esophageal areas. Swallowing difficulty can also be connected to some medications like Nitrates, Anticholinergic agents found in certain anti-depressants and allergy medications, Calcium tablets, Calcium channel blockers for hypertension, aspirin, Iron tablets, Vitamin C, Antipsychotic,Tetracycline (used to treat acne)
How are swallowing disorders treated?
Many of these disorders can be treated with medication. Drugs that slow stomach acid production, muscle relaxants, and antacids are a few of the many medicines available. Treatment is tailored to the particular cause of the swallowing disorder. Once the cause is determined, swallowing disorders may be treated with medication, swallowing therapy or surgery.
