Pain when swallowing or an inability to swallow is sometimes known as dysphagia. A relatively common medical problem, dysphagia is more common in the elderly. Understanding the common dysphagia symptoms can help identify the problem in order to seek proper treatment.
The most common dysphagia symptoms occur when trying to swallow. It may be difficult, uncomfortable, or painful to try and swallow foods or liquids. There are many different causes of the condition, from muscular malfunction to esophageal cancer.
Dysphagia symptoms may vary depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the condition. Infants and small children can develop a chronic swallowing problem due to developmental problems, disorders of the nervous system, or physical abnormalities such as a cleft palate. Dysphagia symptoms in children may present as an unexplained refusal to eat, breastfeeding problems, weight loss, and frequent choking while eating. It is important to take children to the doctor if symptoms occur regularly, in order to check for serious underlying conditions.
The elderly may develop dysphagia symptoms in relation to a number of medical issues. Some symptoms may include regurgitation, acid reflux, hoarseness in the voice, and weight loss. When eating, the person may choke, drool, or be unable to swallow food. Food or liquid may feel stuck in the throat or chest, even though breathing is unaffected.
Swallowing requires numerous muscular contractions throughout the esophageal passages. Since so many processes are involved with swallowing, any number of medical conditions may be the root cause of dysphagia symptoms. Neurological conditions, such as muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis are all associated with difficulty swallowing as an early symptom.
It is important not to confuse difficulty swallowing with choking. Choking often occurs when food lodges in the throat or airways, causing an acute inability to breathe. If choking occurs, the stuck object must be dislodged immediately before the victim suffers oxygen deprivation or even possible death. If medical personnel is unavailable, it is important to learn about proper techniques for assisting a choking person, such as the Heimlich maneuver.
It is not unusual for perfectly healthy people to experience occasional dysphagia symptoms or difficulty swallowing. With so many complex muscle functions required to swallow, it isn't surprising that something occasionally misfires, especially if the person is swallowing a large mouthful of food or trying to talk while eating. Occasional dysphagia is generally nothing to be concerned about. If symptoms occur on a regular basis, however, some medical experts recommend seeing a doctor for testing.
