Swallowing Dysfunction Expert in Perumbakkam
Your Trusted Partner in Swallowing Dysfunction
Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing is a symptom of many different medical conditions. We are here to provide you with top-notch care and guidance to tackle your problems.
Understanding Swallowing Dysfunction
Types of Dysphagia
Healthcare providers separate dysphagia into three types based on where the problem is. Think of swallowing as a journey that foods and liquids take to your stomach. There are three main stops along the way: your mouth (oral cavity), throat (pharynx) and the food tube that connects to your stomach (esophagus).
Issues at any of these key stops can create slowdowns, making it difficult or impossible to swallow.
- Oral dysphagia: The problem is in your mouth. Your jaw, teeth and tongue work together to tear food into smaller pieces when you chew. Your salivary glands produce spit that softens the food so it breaks apart easily.
- Oropharyngeal dysphagia: The problem is in your throat. After your mouth prepares the food, your tongue pushes it to the back of your throat. Your voice box (larynx) closes to prevent food or liquid from slipping into your airway (trachea) on its way to your esophagus. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is also known as transfer dysphagia. Think of it this way: it involves problems transferring food from your mouth to your throat.
- Esophageal dysphagia: The problem is in your esophagus. Your esophagus squeezes the food or liquid down in a wave-like motion (peristlalis) until it reaches your stomach.
What causes dysphagia?
Nervous system and brain disorders
Conditions and injuries affecting your brain and nervous system (the network of nerves that controls muscles and organs) that cause dysphagia:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS): A condition that weakens the nerves that control your muscles.
- Brain Tumors: Growths in your brain (both cancerous and benign) that can disrupt the nerve signals that tell your muscles to move.
- Cerebral palsy: A developmental disorder (one you’re born with) that makes it hard to move and coordinate muscles.
- Dementia: A mental state associated with different diseases that involve trouble thinking and coordinating movement.
- Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that damages the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. With an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks your body’s healthy cells.
- Parkinson’s Disease: A condition that causes tissue in your brain to deteriorate, creating problems with movement and coordination.
Muscle disorders
Conditions that prevent the muscles in your head and neck from helping you swallow include:
- Achalasia: A rare disorder where muscles at the bottom of your esophagus don’t relax to allow food to enter your stomach.
- Cricopharyngeal spasms: Spasms (abnormal contractions) that happen when the muscle at the top of your esophagus squeezes too much, creating the sensation that something’s stuck in your throat.
- Esophageal spasms: Spasms that happen when various muscles in your esophagus squeeze too much.
- Muscular dystrophy:A group of inherited conditions that cause muscles to weaken over time.
- Myasthenia gravis:An autoimmune disease that interrupts the signals nerves send to muscles, making it hard to control movements.
- Myositis: An autoimmune disease that can cause muscle weakness in your throat and esophagus.
- Scleroderma: An autoimmune disease that causes scar tissue to form in your esophagus. The stiff tissue prevents your esophagus muscles from squeezing to move food toward your stomach.
Narrowing, blockages and structural issues
Conditions that create blockages or cause your throat or esophagus to be too narrow can make it hard to swallow. Causes include:
- Cancer: Tumors in your head and neck can obstruct food and drink. Esophageal Cancer is the most common type of cancer that causes dysphagia.
- Eosinophilic esophagitis: A condition that happens when too many white blood cells (eosinophils) build up in your esophagus, causing stiffness.
- Esophageal diverticulum: A weakened pouch that forms in the lining of your esophagus. Food bits can collect in the pouch, creating the sensation that something’s stuck in your throat. The most common type is called Zenker’s diverticulum
- Esophageal webs and (Schatzki) rings: Atypical tissue inside your esophagus that narrows the tube. The smaller tube can cause food to get stuck.
- GERD (acid reflux disease): Stomach acid can flow backward into your esophagus, causing scar tissue. The tissue can cause tightening called esophageal strictures and irritation called Barrett’s esophagus These conditions can make swallowing painful and difficult.
Rehabilitation for swallowing problems
Many people find rehabilitation helpful. An SLP can teach you exercises to strengthen your swallowing muscles. To swallow safely, your SLP may recommend:
- Changing how you eat and drink: Your SLP will guide you to take smaller bites and chew food thoroughly. You may need to add a special thickening powder to your drinks since watery liquids can be tough to swallow.
- Sitting upright while eating: To reduce the risk of choking, your SLP will show you the best way to sit while eating. You can also learn how to tilt your head to make swallowing easier. These techniques reduce the risk of food or liquid going down your windpipe.
- Clearing your throat: SLPs can teach you how to safely clear your throat with a little cough if food or drink gets stuck.
Treatments
Lifestyle changes: Your provider may recommend changing your diet and eating habits. You may need softer foods that are easier to chew. You may need to avoid food and drink that’s too hot or cold.
Other medical therapy: If a neurological condition makes it difficult for you to swallow, your provider can offer solutions. Your options might include botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections to relieve muscle spasms. You may need a procedure to enlarge your esophagus or remove an obstruction.
Frequently Asked Question on Swallowing Dysfunction
Dysphagia is a medical term that refers to difficulty or discomfort in swallowing, which can occur at different stages of the swallowing process.
Yes, dysphagia is relatively common, especially among older adults. However, it can affect individuals of any age, depending on the underlying causes.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia refers to difficulty in the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing, often associated with problems in the mouth and throat.
Dietary modifications may involve adjusting the texture or consistency of food and liquids to make swallowing safer. This can include a soft or pureed diet.
The prognosis for dysphagia depends on the underlying cause. With appropriate treatment and management, many cases can be improved or resolved, but some conditions may require ongoing care.
Yes, lifestyle changes such as maintaining proper posture during meals, eating slowly, and staying hydrated can help manage dysphagia and improve swallowing function.
Yes, dysphagia is more prevalent in older adults due to age-related changes in the muscles and nerves involved in swallowing.