Swallowing Disorders

Dysphagia refers to swallowing difficulty, and odynophagia refers to pain when swallowing. Dysphagia can be further categorized into esophageal dysphagia, or the sensation of food getting stuck in your throat, or oropharyngeal dysphagia, or the difficulty coordinating the timing of food and liquid movement from the mouth to the esophagus.

Symptoms

Symptoms that may be associated with dysphagia or odynophagia may include the following:

  • Drooling

  • Regurgitation

  • Heartburn

  • Unexpected weight loss

  • Coughing

  • Malnutrition due to discomfort when eating

Causes

Causes of esophageal and oropharyngeal dysphagia are numerous, and may include the following, or a combination thereof:

  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

  • Esophageal dysmotility

  • Throat infections (see row 33)

  • Esophageal tumor

  • Zenker's Diverticulum, or the formation of a pouch within your esophagus that can obstruct the regular movement of food

  • Radiation exposure

  • Age-related muscle weakness

Treatment
Options

Treatment for a swallowing disorder will depend on the exact condition(s) that cause it. Your doctor may order a test, such as a laryngoscopy examination or esophagram (also known as barium swallow study) for further evaluation of reported symptoms. Treatment options for swallowing disorders, while not universally applicable, may include:

  • Dietary modifications

  • Medical management of GERD

  • Dysphagia therapy

Schedule Your Consultation

If you are suffering from a swallowing disorder, the first step towards feeling better is to schedule an evaluation with an experienced ear, nose and throat doctor. Board certified and fellowship trained in rhinology, our physician at Sensa Health has extensive experience diagnosing and treating a wide variety of throat conditions. Call or text our office at 213-267-2256 to schedule an appointment today.