Various Approaches Used For Dysphagia Treatment

By Karen Edwards


The medical term which is used in referring to the sensation of difficulty in swallowing is dysphagia. At times the swallowing difficulty tends to be accompanied by a lot of pain. Difficulty in swallowing can be brought about by a number of medical causes which makes dysphagia treatment to also be different.

One of the cases of swallowing difficulty is the swelling and tumors. There are certain swelling as well as tumors which actually exact pressure on the oropharynx which lead to swallowing problems. These involves the mouth or even throat cancer, thyroid glands cancer or lumps and the cancer which causes the swelling of lymph nodes which are located in the neck.

Some symptoms which might seem similar to those of dysphagia include food regurgitation, chocking, vomiting coughing as well as pain when swallowing. Some of these symptoms might not be felt when the problem is mild. Some of causes of swallowing difficulties include the neurological problems.

This particular acid is viewed to irritate the inside lining especially on the lower gullet leading to esophagitis. Esophagitis caused by acid reflux is very common although the stricture which causes difficulty in swallowing is not common which is basically a complication associated with this particular problem.

Some infections also can lead to difficulty in swallowing. For instance, some problems such as swollen tonsils, swollen lymph nodes as well as abscess at back throat can also contribute to this kind of a problem. Breathing problems also lead to dysphagia. Some of the conditions which cause difficulty in breathing especially the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease might have a knock on effect in swallowing.

When these swallowing difficulty becomes severe solid and liquid food particles do not pass through the gullet to the stomach. Sometimes at this stage an individuals tends to vomit. The cause of dysphagia usually determines its treatment plan. One of the known treatment method is known as esophageal dilation.

This is carried out for a very tight esophageal sprinter or the esophageal stricture whereby the doctor might consider using endoscope tests having a very special balloon attached so as to gently stretch as well as expand the width of the gullet. Surgery is another form of treatment which is regularly used. In case an individual has esophageal tumor, pharyngoesophageal diverticulum or achalasia then you might be in need of a surgery which aims at clearing the esophageal path. Medications can also be used to treat the swallowing difficulty.

Difficulty in swallowing which is mostly associated with GERD is usually treated using prescription of some oral medication which aims at reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. You might be required to take these kind of medication for an extended period of time. In case you might be suffering from eosinophilic esophagitis you might need corticosteroids. On the other hand if you are suffering from esophageal spasm some smooth muscle relaxants might be of good help to your problem.




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