Trouble swallowing, known medically as dysphagia, occurs\nwhen food feels like it is sticking in the throat or chest. It is usually the\nresult of an improperly functioning esophagus and tends to affect the elderly\nmore than any other age group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Occasional difficulty swallowing affects almost everybody\nand isn\u2019t cause for alarm; sometimes we simply eat too quickly or don\u2019t chew\nour food thoroughly. Individuals with swallowing disorders experience\npersistent problems chewing and swallowing. Normally, food and liquids are\ntransported from the mouth to the stomach when we swallow, passing through the\npharynx and esophagus before digestion takes place. When you suffer from a\nswallowing disorder, these foods and liquids may become lodged in the throat,\nchest or sternum. This causes painful or difficult swallowing, which may be\naccompanied by choking, coughing, gagging, regurgitation, drooling, hoarseness,\nchest pain, reflux, sore throat and weight loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Causes of dysphagia vary. They include aging, neuromuscular\ndisorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernias, scleroderma,\nesophageal webs that cause partial blockages and esophageal cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A barium swallow study or fluoroscopy, in conjunction with X-rays,\nlaryngoscopy, and other diagnostic tests, can help determine what is causing\nyour swallowing disorder. Treatment depends upon the diagnosis and may involve\nmedications, surgery or swallowing exercises. When acid reflux is to blame,\ndietary changes \u2013 eliminating spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine, for instance \u2013\ncan be helpful in preventing dysphagia. Practice chewing your food slowly and\nthoroughly. In extreme cases, a feeding tube may be required to ensure the\npatient receives proper nutrition and maintains a healthy weight. <\/p>\n\n\n