An Overview Of Dysphagia Treatment

By Frances Harris


There are some experiences that you may go through and lack full understanding about them. For instance, constantly having difficulties when eating and swallowing is not a simple thing to shrug off. This is a medical condition known as Dysphagia which needs to be checked out. Following a proper Dysphagia Treatment can help you get back to enjoying your meals and being healthy.

This condition is mostly common in elderly people and babies. One may take more time to try and get food or liquid to his or her stomach even after chewing for a long time. However, you should not confuse occasional difficulties in swallowing caused by eating too fast or big chunks of food. Dysphagia is rather persistent and is a serious medical condition which requires immediate treatment.

There are some situations that lead to the malfunctioning of the oesophagus which is key when digesting food. The muscles in the gut may not work well after having a stroke, brain or spinal injury. Having immune system problems may lead to the inflammation and weakness of the muscles making it hard to swallow. Some nervous problems such as Parkinsons disease and multiple sclerosis contribute as causes of dysphagia.

Having growth or masses in the walls of the gut such as oesophagus tumors, lymph nodes may cause you to feel that your gut is blocked. Another condition that gives off this sensation is GERD. This occurs when the stomach releases its acid back up to the throat, causing ulcers on the walls of the gut which forms ulcers. The ulcers formed cause scars on the walls and narrows it down.

This condition has a number of symptoms that clearly depict its presence. One of the most commonly known is the difficulty in swallowing your first bite of food or even liquids. Feeling the pain when eating may cause you to eat less which leads to weight loss. Having the food and liquid coming back up to your throat or even through your mouth and constant coughing, chocking and gagging are clear signs of Dysphagia.

Upon taking note of these symptoms, it is advisable to visit the doctor. This condition is diagnosed through a thorough check up with a doctor who will further refer you to a specialist who will treat you in regards to where the condition is being felt. You will be taken through a number of questions to assess how you exactly feel, point out where you feel the food is being stuck and how long you have been having this condition among other queries.

The treatment begins after finding out the sole cause of such a condition you are experiencing. Before that, a number of tests will be carried out to find the leading cause such as X rays fluoroscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy can be done. Some of treatment process especially if the cause is due to spinal cord and brain injury, the specialist will advise on reliable exercises for the muscles of the gut.

In addition to exercises, you will be asked to change your meal plan, eating things that are not difficult to swallow. For some scenarios, a surgery is needed to remove things that are blocking your gut. The specialist will also give you medicines to prevent GERD and to treat infections.




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