Trouble Swallowing? It Could Be Dysphagia

Trouble Swallowing? It Could Be Dysphagia

Have you ever had the experience of having food stuck in the throat? Or do you sneeze in water drinking? You're not alone. This may be a disorder known as dysphagia, or difficulty in swallowing.

This is the experience of millions of adults annually. When untreated, dysphagia may result in weight loss, dehydration and even lung infections.

In this guide, you will know what dysphagia is, the causes as well as how to tell whether you have it or not. We are also going to put what to do when we see a doctor and what treatments we can have.

In addition, you will also talk with Dr. Bharat Pothuri, an expert GI in Houston and get some good tips that can help make it easier to swallow whether you are in Sugar Land or The Woodlands or right in the heart of Houston.

Table of Contents

1. What is Dysphagia?
2. Types of Dysphagia
3. Swallowing Problems Causes
4. Signs You May Have Dysphagia
5. How to Know for Sure
6. Oropharyngeal vs. Esophageal Dysphagia
7. When to See a Doctor
8. How It's Diagnosed
9. Treatment Options
10. Easy Tips to Try at Home

1. What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia (pronounced dis-FAY-juh) is trouble in swallowing. The majority of humans will mindlessly swallow hundreds of times each day. However when anything is wrong such as the weak muscles or damage to the nerves swallowing can be difficult or even risky.

There are a lot of muscles and nerves involved in swallowing, says Dr. Pothuri. Even small changes in eating can feel difficult when digestive symptoms are active. If meals are causing discomfort, pain, reflux, bloating, nausea, or swallowing trouble, those symptoms should not be ignored.

Why It Matters:

• You can choke, or stuff food down your lungs
• Food is not as pleasant to eat
• It may cause malnutrition or dehydration

2. Types of Dysphagia

Doctors distinguish two types of dysphagia:

• Oropharyngeal dysphagia Difficulty in swallowing food in the mouth into the throat. Frequently associated with nerve, or muscular, problems within the head or neck.
• Esophageal dysphagia You have the sense that the food is stuck in your chest or throat, after swallowing. This involves the esophagus.

3. Swallowing Problems Causes

Dysphagia can be brought about by many health problems. Here are the most common:

Nerve and Brain Conditions:

• Stroke or mini-stroke (TIA)
• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)

Muscle Disorders:

• Myasthenia gravis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Scleroderma

Blockages or Structural Problems:

• Stricture (rings or webs) of esophagus
• Throat or esophagus tumors
• Enlarged thyroid (goiter)

Digestive Tract Conditions:

• Acid reflux or GERD
• Achalasia (when lower esophagus fails to relax)

Infections or Irritation:

• Esophagitis (acid, infection or drug)
• Yeast infection (thrush)

Effects of Medication or Treatment:

• Radiation to the neck
• Certain blood pressure or muscle relaxing drugs

4. Signs You May Have Dysphagia

The primary symptom is trouble in swallowing. But you may also notice:

• During eating, coughing or choking
• Drooling or spilling food
• Pain when swallowing
• Feeling like food is stuck
• Weight loss without trying
• Frequent chest infections

Dr. Pothuri says that even minor digestive symptoms should not be overlooked when they continue, return often, or feel unusual. Sometimes a small symptom can be part of a larger health issue. Early evaluation helps us understand the cause, provide clarity, and guide the right treatment plan before problems become more difficult to manage.

5. How to Know for Sure

Want to track your symptoms? Try this:

1. Diary of what you eat and drink in 7 days
2. Record complaints of cough, pain or feeling stuck
3. Include rating of each symptom (1, mild; 5, severe)
4. Look at trends: Does it get better with solids? Liquids?

Bring this log to your doctor. They may suggest:

• Barium swallow - X-ray test of barium swallow is done by use of a chalky liquid.
• Endoscopy - Endoscopy camera is the one that examines the inside of your throat and your esophagus.
• Manometry - Manometry examines the movement of your muscles.
• Video fluoroscopy - Live X-ray fluoroscopy during eating.

Learn more at NIDDK.gov

6. Oropharyngeal and Esophageal Dysphagia

7. When to See a Doctor

Here's when to act quickly:

• Call 911 or Go to the ER If:
  • You are not able to swallow anything, either food or liquids
  • You feel strong chest pain
  • You are choking, you have a fever
• See a Doctor Soon If:
  • Symptoms over 2 weeks long
  • You are shedding pounds in the process
  • Burning of the heart on a regular basis and not relieved with medicine
  • You either cough or choke when eating

Dr. Pothuri says that early treatment often leads to better outcomes because it gives us time to understand the cause of symptoms and guide the right care plan. Don’t wait for digestive problems to become more serious before seeking help.

8. How It's Diagnosed in Houston

In Gastrodoxs our team is progressive::

1. We look through your medical history and symptoms
2. We examine your neck, chest and throat
3. We prescribe things such as X-rays or scopes
4. We describe your findings and draw a course of action to you

9. Treatment Options

Swallowing Therapy:

• Speech therapist exercises
• Changing the sitting posture or the position of your head
• Acquiring new swallowing

Diet Changes:

• Use thickened drinks
• Eat soft or pureed foods
• Do not take dry, sticky, crunchy foods

Medications:

• Acid reflux (such as omeprazole) PPI
• Antispasmoesics
• Infection miticides can be antibiotics or antifungals

Procedures or Surgery:

• Tight areas are stretched by esophageal dilation
• Botox relaxes muscles
• Myotomy cuts tight muscles
• Tumor removal if needed

10. Easy Tips to Try at Home

In the meantime, until you get a diagnosis or a treatment consider:

• Eat small meals more often
• Eat in small portions and chew food
• Sit up straight while eating
• Sit straight within 30 minutes of eating
• Take water in between bites (when it is safe)
• Experiment with temperatures of food warm or cool might be more comfortable
• Take a straw where your therapist suggests it

Final Thoughts

Problems that are caused by swallowing may appear minor, but they can cause enormous consequences. Going through Montrose, Baytown, Katy or any part of Houston, do not disregard the signs.

Begin to monitor your symptoms, experiment with minor modifications, and discuss with a GI.

Gastrodoxs is a team of people led by Dr. Bharat Pothuri who is here to facilitate your eating, drinking, and feeling better on a daily basis.