Odynophagia

What is Odynophagia?

The medical name of the pain or discomfort when swallowing is called odynophagia. It may be during taking food, drinking of fluids and even consuming saliva. The feeling can either be acute, tropical, or pain in the throat or the chest. Odynophagia may disrupt your nutrition and the general well being of your being, had it not been treated.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms Odynophagia may be mild or severe. Common signs include:

• Pain, burning on swallowing.
• Difficulty or painfulness in the throat or chest.
• Problem with swallowing or swallowing.
• Pain that is aggravated by hot, cold or acidic food.
• Pain in the chest that is like heartburn.
• In children, anorexia or excess drooling.

Causes

Odynophagia does appear as a result of irritation or damage to the lining of the esophagus. Common causes include:

• Acid reflex or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Infections, e.g. Candida (yeast) and herpes simplex virus.
• Drug interactions (e.g. NSAIDs or some antibiotics)
• Eosinophilic esophagitis (allergic disease of the esophagus)
• Eating abnormalities (swallowing of pills and foreign objects).
• Past radiation therapy of the chest or throat.

Treatment Options for Odynophagia in Houston

Treatment implies diagnostics, medication, change in the diet, and procedures:

• Diagnostic tests: An endoscopy, imaging (barium swallow, CT scan), or lab work is to be done to determine the underlying cause.
• Drugs: Acid blockers (proton-pump or h 2 blockers), antivirals or corticosteroids to cure infection and inflammation.
• Diet plan: Do not take hot, cold, spicy or acidic food or drink that aggravates pain in the throat or the chest.
• Restrictions on soft food: Incorporate soft foods, which are mashed and pureed, and tender to provide your esophagus time to heal.
• Techniques: To dilate constricted places in the esophagus, or to treat structure and injuries in endoscopic procedures.
• Follow-up: common follow-up inspections, lifestyle counseling, and troubleshooting of treatments in order to prevent the same and address chronic illnesses.