Swallowing Disorder

Difficulty in swallowing is common among all age groups, especially the elderly. The term dysphagia refers to the feeling of difficulty passing food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. This may be caused by many factors, most of which are temporary and not threatening. Difficulties in swallowing rarely represent a more serious disease, but when the difficulty does not clear up by itself, consult a head and neck surgeon (otolaryngologist).

• drooling
  
  

• a feeling that food or liquid is sticking in the throat
  
  

• discomfort in the throat or chest
  
  

• a sensation of a foreign body or "lump" in the throat
  
  

• weight loss and inadequate nutrition due to prolonged or more significant problems with swallowing
  
  

• coughing or choking caused by bits of food, liquid or saliva not passing easily during swallowing, and being sucked into the lungs.

Once the cause is determined, swallowing disorders may be treated with:

• medication
  
  

• swallowing therapy
  
  

• surgery

Surgery is used to treat certain problems. If a narrowing or stricture exists, the area may need to be stretched or dilated or released surgically. This procedure is called myotomy and is performed by an otolaryngologist (head & neck surgeon).

www.entnet.org/healthinfo/throat/swallowing.cfm

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