The term "dysphagia" refers to difficulty in swallowing. The inability to swallow may manifest in several different ways, ranging from occasional problems with swallowing, especially when you don't thoroughly chew your food, or when you try to eat too quickly, to extreme cases which can make it nearly impossible to swallow foods or even liquids. The use of a swallow study for dysphagia is a method for accurate diagnosis of the condition. Determining the extent of the problem and its precise location is necessary before a course of treatment can be implemented.
In most instances, the problems with swallowing will not require medical intervention. If the problem worsens, which can happen as the patient ages, action will be required. Inability to swallow can create problems with nutrition.
The symptoms related to dysphagia range from minor problems to major pain. A large piece of food can get stuck in the throat. Sometimes it just feels as if the food is lodged in the throat. Acidic backup in the throat is another symptom that can be very troubling. It may help to ensure that food is cut into smaller pieces to assist the movement from the mouth to the stomach.
Dysphagia can be caused by any of various causes. Some of the common ones are esophageal stricture, narrowing of the esophageal ring, achalasia, tumors and GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease). Foreign bodies in the throat or muscle spasms and radiation therapy can create problems in moving food down the passageway. Other causes are eosinophilic esophagitis and scleroderma.
Other conditions are listed under the general heading of oropharyngeal dysphagia. These factors may cause choking, gagging or coughing when swallowing. Some people complain of the feeling of foods or liquids going down the trachea. This may be caused by certain neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis. Neurological damage such as a spinal cord or brain injury, or from a stroke may affect the ability to swallow. Pharyngeal diverticula is a condition where a small pouch forms and holds food particles in the throat.
Diagnostic studies include inserting an endoscope (a small lighted tube) into the throat and using fiber-optics to visually examine the throat. Measuring the muscle pressure in the throat requires a manometry procedure.
There are various imaging studies, ranging from x-rays to CT scans. Each of these involves the use of barium, either by drinking a solution containing barium or ingesting a pill coated with barium. A PET scan uses radioactive tracers and an MRI makes use of radio and magnetic forces.
The dynamic study for dysphagia requires the patient to swallow various consistencies of food, each coated with barium. The barium allows for tracking the functionality of the muscles and structure of the throat. The images track the path of the food as it travels down the throat. This set of images will allow the doctor to determine where the problems or weaknesses are located.
In most instances, the problems with swallowing will not require medical intervention. If the problem worsens, which can happen as the patient ages, action will be required. Inability to swallow can create problems with nutrition.
The symptoms related to dysphagia range from minor problems to major pain. A large piece of food can get stuck in the throat. Sometimes it just feels as if the food is lodged in the throat. Acidic backup in the throat is another symptom that can be very troubling. It may help to ensure that food is cut into smaller pieces to assist the movement from the mouth to the stomach.
Dysphagia can be caused by any of various causes. Some of the common ones are esophageal stricture, narrowing of the esophageal ring, achalasia, tumors and GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease). Foreign bodies in the throat or muscle spasms and radiation therapy can create problems in moving food down the passageway. Other causes are eosinophilic esophagitis and scleroderma.
Other conditions are listed under the general heading of oropharyngeal dysphagia. These factors may cause choking, gagging or coughing when swallowing. Some people complain of the feeling of foods or liquids going down the trachea. This may be caused by certain neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis. Neurological damage such as a spinal cord or brain injury, or from a stroke may affect the ability to swallow. Pharyngeal diverticula is a condition where a small pouch forms and holds food particles in the throat.
Diagnostic studies include inserting an endoscope (a small lighted tube) into the throat and using fiber-optics to visually examine the throat. Measuring the muscle pressure in the throat requires a manometry procedure.
There are various imaging studies, ranging from x-rays to CT scans. Each of these involves the use of barium, either by drinking a solution containing barium or ingesting a pill coated with barium. A PET scan uses radioactive tracers and an MRI makes use of radio and magnetic forces.
The dynamic study for dysphagia requires the patient to swallow various consistencies of food, each coated with barium. The barium allows for tracking the functionality of the muscles and structure of the throat. The images track the path of the food as it travels down the throat. This set of images will allow the doctor to determine where the problems or weaknesses are located.
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