Dr. Rishi Chadha, MD is a board‑certified gastroenterologist who specializes in preventive gastroenterology, colorectal cancer screening, and minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. He completed his fellowship at Sunrise Health GME in Las Vegas and previously trained in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Connecticut.
Dysphagia means trouble swallowing. It can make eating or drinking feel hard or painful. You might feel like food gets stuck in your throat or chest. In serious cases, it can cause choking or lung infections.
He discusses your swallowing difficulties, eating habits, past surgeries, medications, and other health conditions.
He examines your neck, throat, and muscle function to look for signs of obstruction or weakness.
Additional studies such as pH monitoring to assess reflux or CT imaging to rule out structural causes.
Dr. Rishi Chadha, MD is a board‑certified gastroenterologist who specializes in preventive gastroenterology, colorectal cancer screening, and minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. He completed his fellowship at Sunrise Health GME in Las Vegas and previously trained in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Connecticut.
The main ICD-10 code for dysphagia is R13, with subcodes like R13.1 specifying oropharyngeal dysphagia.
Using the correct code ensures proper treatment planning and helps with insurance coverage.
The stages are: 1) oral preparatory, 2) oral transport, 3) pharyngeal, and 4) esophageal.
Yes. Untreated dysphagia can lead to weight loss, dehydration, malnutrition, or aspiration pneumonia.
Absolutely. A speech therapist can teach you safe swallowing exercises, postures, and techniques.
Common tests include a barium swallow X-ray, upper endoscopy (EGD), and esophageal manometry.
Many patients improve significantly with diet changes, medications, dilation, or simple procedures. Some conditions require ongoing management.
Treatment time varies. Mild cases may improve in weeks; more complex issues can take several months.
Yes. With a clear diagnosis code like R13, most plans cover evaluation and treatment.
See a physician if swallowing is painful, food feels stuck, you choke often, or you have unexplained weight loss.
