Discovering A Dysphagia Evaluation For Throat Issues

By Harold Ellis


When having difficulty swallowing, there can often be a number of reasons. If the condition continues over a period of time, it can often be good to obtain a dysphagia evaluation. For, while many causes can be treated quickly and easily, others can be a warning of a more severe illness.

While most people are aware of symptoms, not all those whom have trouble swallowing realize there is a blockage somewhere between the throat and stomach. In some cases, people experience the condition on a seasonal basis when having severe allergies such as cedar and hay fever. Most often, an allergy-D medication can help reduce nasal congestion, swelling and assist in better breathing.

In the cases in which individuals might not be aware the condition is occurring, it is because the primary cause is in passing solids or liquids from the throat to the mouth and stomach. As such, if there is a blockage between the throat and stomach, individuals rarely know anything is wrong. As a result, it is often recommended that individuals showing any ongoing signs or symptoms of these conditions obtain an evaluation as quickly as possible.

While dysphagia and odynophagia are connected, most individuals experience a great deal more pain with odynophagia. Whereas, another condition known as globus can make an individual feel like something is stuck in the throat sometimes to the point of being painful. When experiencing any of these symptoms, it is often advised that the individual check with a primary health care provider to discover the cause and proper treatment.

When any type of condition goes untreated for an extended period of time, the individual runs the risk of complications. In some cases, this can be pulmonary aspiration or aspiration based pneumonia due to foods and liquids getting into the lungs. As a result, individuals experiencing silent forms of aspiration can, at times, experience renal failure due to dehydration or malnutrition.

People with dysphagia also have trouble keeping food in the mouth, experience the inability to control food and saliva, coughs, unexplained weight loss, a wet voice and nasal regurgitation. As such, individuals experiencing dysphagia on an ongoing basis may want to carry tissues in case symptoms arise in public places, while at work or when visiting family and friends.

When asked where food is stuck, most people point to the neck area. In all cases, the obstruction is either above or below this location. Whereas, the most common area in which individuals feel such a blockage is just below the throat. While this is the case, obstructions can occur anywhere from the top of the throat all the way down to the lower intestine and bowel.

In most cases, esophageal dysphagia just means difficulty swallowing and can often be treated quickly and easily. On the other hand, odynophagia is a more complicated condition with distinctive symptoms which can also be indicative of cancer. While of concern, it should be noted that there are a number of other issues which can cause odynophagia that are not related to cancer.




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