Important Pointers On Dysphagia Treatment

By Frances Harris


Having difficulties more than once when swallowing your food is a clear sign that there is something wrong with your throat or oesophagus. The condition also known as Dysphagia is one that makes it uncomfortable or even painful when trying to enjoy a meal. Seeking Dysphagia Treatment is important as it will help you find out where the exact problem is and what the causes are.

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 a number of causes that lead to this difficulty having a direct impact on how the muscles of oesophagus work. If you may have experienced a brain, spinal cord injury or a stroke, you are susceptible to this condition. Immune system problems that could lead to swelling and inflammation of walls of the gut make it difficult to get food to the stomach. Some certain nervous system problems such as multiple sclerosis is also a cause.

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 can come and go until it becomes persistent. Its symptoms could include getting food down to your stomach on the first try. When eating and you have irritations or end up coughing, choking and food coming back up through your mouth and nose, the feeling of having particles stuck in your throat and oesophagus, this indicates that you are suffering from the condition.

Noting these symptoms should immediately lead you to a doctor. In the presence of a qualified doctor, you may have to give some vital information so as to find out what is the specific cause of the condition. You could be asked to show where you think the food is getting stuck, what you experience when eating and for how long this has been going on. Your responses will help the doctor refer you to a specialist who will treat you according to the cause.

You will further be taken through further tests to find out the causes of dysphagia. Such include having throat x rays. The treatment process also depends on what is causing the difficulty. Some of the processes you can be involved in is exercises to train your muscles on how to properly lead food down your throat into your stomach. This also includes positioning your body well so as to swallow well.

In addition to medicine, you could be advised to change your meal plan. This will involve you eating some foods while staying away from those that may trigger the difficulty. In some cases, surgery can also be advised.




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