A Look Into Swallowing Disorders

By Beryl Dalton


The fact that doctors consider this as more of a condition then a symptom makes it more serious. Dysphagia is a medical condition whereby the patient has difficulty in the ingestion of food straight from his mouth to the stomach. This occurs in some who do not even know they have this disorder. This is because it is painless contrary to odynophagia and the globus. The latter denotes the formation of a lump in the throat.swallowing disorders has therefore been taken serious and remedies coming out.

The physiology of swallowing predetermines a number of algorithmic steps that the body follows. First of all, the oral preparation stage, here food is in the mouth and contains water. It is manipulated before being ingested. Then secondly, the oral stage where the tongue propels the food in the mouth to start the gulping down.

The third stage is the pharyngeal one. Here is all goes down in pharynx. This organ is important for voice and the prevention of food from making its way to the trachea or wind pipe. Lastly, the esophageal stage comes right after the second one. In this stage, food passes the esophagus and goes all the way down to stomach in a process called peristalsis. These last processes involve involuntary reflexes that the brain automatically controls.

How one note he or she is suffering from this condition can is important. The symptoms include weight loss and malnutrition, voice change, drooling, uncomforting feeling in the throat and chest area, the sensation of a body or lump in the throat. One could also cough due to the inability of food to pass. Some of these symptoms occur exclusively and a time depends on the nature of the sufferer

There is however a unique case known as the aspiration pneumonia which results due to food going into the wind pipe. This occurs due to food particles and liquids in most cases making route to the trachea. This causes the patient to have a wet sound when eating. This implies the pharynx is bridged also. As a result, urgent medication is vital.

Dysphagia can be caused by a number of symptoms. They include dyspaghia lusoria, Zenker diverticulum, esophageal webs and rings, cancer of the esophagea, the Esophagial diverticula, atresia, achalasia, and gastro esophageal reflux. Some also include head injury. This condition causes the lumen to narrow. It then inhibits the passage of food and fluid to the stomach.

Doctors use a wide range of technology based procedures to analyze and note the problem. Esophagoscopy and the laryngoscopy are some of the equipment used to get the direct views. A CT scan can be used however it cannot lead to the doctors noting the cause of the swallowing disorder. This problem is common in elderly, those who have had strokes before and the sufferers of acute chronic disorders.

This condition is relative to the elderly. There are a number of remedies to employ. A diet change is one. Taking in of ingestible of small portion is wise. Then, a therapy on how to chew and swallow exercises too can go a long way.




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