Dr. Chad Long Explains Dysphagia

Dysphagia is a difficulty in swallowing or abnormal swallowing. Difficulty swallowing means it takes more time and effort to move food or liquid you’re your mouth to your stomach. Sometimes pain is associated with dysphagia. Occasional difficulty swallowing may occur you’re your food isn’t chewed well enough or when you eat too fast, and this is not cause for concern. Persistent dysphagia beyond that is considered to be an alarm symptom and is something that should be evaluated by a gastroenterologist. Dysphagia can be oropharyngeal in nature, which means there is difficulty initiating a swallow. Or it can be esophageal in origin which usually is a problem swallowing several seconds after the swallow is initiated. Dysphagia can be caused by structural abnormalities such as rings, or webs, or esophageal cancer. Or it can be a motility dysfunction where the nerves and the muscles of the esophagus are not working properly. This dysfunction in swallowing can be evaluated by: • Radiology studies (barium swallow) • Endoscopy • Manomety Treatments include surgery, endoscopy with dilation and multiple medications.