Diseases and Procedures

Dysphagia

If you have a problem swallowing foods or liquids, you may have dysphagia. It has a number of causes. Your doctor can find out what is causing your problem and help relieve your symptoms.

Common Symptoms
If you have dysphagia, you may:

• Feel chest pressure or pain when you swallow
• Choke or cough when swallowing
• Vomit after eating or drinking
• Aspirate (inhale into the lungs) foods or liquids when you swallow
• Have fatigue and weight loss

Causes of Dysphagia
Dysphagia can be caused by any of the following:

• A problem in the esophagus, such as an ulcer, a stricture, or cancer
• Muscles in your mouth, throat, or esophagus that don’t work properly
• A nerve problem or a brain disorder that leaves your throat muscles weak

YOUR EVALUATION

A medical evaluation helps your doctor pinpoint the cause of your dysphagia. Your evaluation may include a health history and some special tests.

Health History
The doctor may ask you about your health and symptoms. Tell him or her how long you’ve had these symptoms. Also mention the types of foods or liquids that are hard for you to swallow. You may be asked if you take any medications.

Tests You May Have
You may need any of the following special tests:

• An endoscopy to look directly into your esophagus using a long flexible tube.
• A barium x-ray to obtain an image of your esophagus. You will be asked to drink a chalky liquid containing barium to enhance the x-ray image.
• A manometry test to assess the strength and function of your esophagus muscles. A thin tube (catheter) measures muscle contractions.

YOUR TREATMENT

Your doctor will make a treatment plan based on the results of your evaluation. You may need to take medications, and in some cases, your doctor may suggest dilating the esophagus.

Medications
Depending on the cause of your dysphagia, prescription or over-the-counter medications may be needed. Your doctor can tell you more about them. You may need medications to:

• Neutralize or reduce stomach acids
• Control esophagus muscle spasms

Esophagus Dilation
Dilation is a procedure that your doctor can use to widen the esophagus. It is most often done when a stricture is causing your dysphagia. There are a number of ways your doctor can widen the esophagus that will be discussed with you.

When You Swallow
Your tongue pushes foods or liquids from your mouth to your throat as you eat or drink and swallow. They then pass down the esophagus (a muscular tube) into the stomach. To keep foods or liquids moving, the esophagus muscles tighten and relax in wavelike motions.

WHEN YOU HAVE DYSPHAGIA

With dysphagia, foods or liquids do not easily pass down the esophagus. Often, dysphagia occurs if the esophagus walls thicken, causing a narrowing (stricture) of the passage.

What You Can Do
To help control dysphagia, follow your treatment plan. Take all medications as directed and help lessen your dysphagia symptoms by being careful about what and how you eat.

Eating Tips
With dysphagia, you may have problems eating enough food to get the energy your body needs. You may also have to be careful about what and how you eat. Try these tips to help make eating easier and safer:

• Eat slowly in a relaxed setting.
• Don’t talk while you eat.
• Take small bites.
• Sit in an upright position during and after meals.
• Ask your doctor about any special diets that may help, such as liquid diets.
• Use a blender to puree solid foods, if needed.
• Thicken liquids with milk, juice, broth, gravy, or starch to make swallowing easier.