Dysphagia is a medical term used to describe difficulty swallowing. An estimated one in six adults experience this unpleasant symptom. It’s one that may indicate a more serious condition. Having trouble swallowing once in a while is no cause for concern, but ongoing swallowing issues may require treatment.
While it most often appears in older adults, dysphagia can affect all ages. The causes vary widely, with proper treatment depending on the accurate diagnosis of the problem.
At Charleston GI, our board-certified gastroenterologists are committed to providing relief from unpleasant digestive symptoms. They utilize the most advanced training and tools to examine, diagnose, and treat a full range of GI conditions, diseases, and cancers, so you can feel better fast!
Because we are open five days a week and do not require a referral, meeting with a trusted gastroenterologist is easier than ever. Contact us today to experience a higher standard of caring. That is Charleston GI.
Swallowing depends on the proper function of the throat, esophagus muscles, and nerves. If they become weaker, narrow, or damaged, dysphagia can occur.
Types of Dysphagia
Esophageal Dysphagia
When it feels that food is stuck in the lower throat or chest, these common causes may be to blame:
Achalasia: Esophagus muscles stop pushing food down
Esophageal spasms: Sudden, uncoordinated squeezing of the esophagus
Stricture: Narrowing from scar tissue, reflux, or tumors
Esophageal tumors: Growths that slowly tighten the passage
Eosinophilic esophagitis: Inflammation from immune reaction
Scleroderma: Stiff tissue and weak sphincter that fail to prevent acid backflow
Radiation therapy: Post-treatment inflammation or scarring
Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
Patients who struggle to move food from the mouth to the throat may experience coughing or choking. One of the following may cause this type of dysphagia:
Failure totreat dysphagia may result in the following:
Malnutrition
Weight loss
Dehydration
Aspiration pneumonia
Choking
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
If you experience difficulty swallowing paired with weight loss, regurgitation, or vomiting, contact Charleston GI right away. Our experienced gastroenterologists are here to help!
Be sure to seek emergency medical care if a blockage makes it hard to breathe or if you cannot swallow because food feels stuck in your throat or chest.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
To diagnose dysphagia, your Charleston GI doctor may conduct one of these tests:
Barium x-ray: A barium solution or barium-coated food/pill will be consumed to highlight the esophagus and identify potential shape changes, blockages, or muscle activity.
Dynamic swallowing study: Barium-coated foods of different textures are swallowed to pinpoint muscle coordination concerns and determine whether food enters the airway.
Endoscopy: A thin, flexible scope is used to check for inflammation, narrowing, or tumors in the esophagus.
FEES (Fiber-optic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing): A scope is utilized to observe swallowing in the throat.
Esophageal manometry: A small tube and pressure recorder measure the esophagus’s muscle contractions when swallowing.
Imaging scans (CT Scan or MRI): Scans are used to create detailed images of the esophagus and surrounding tissues.
Charleston GI provides a full range of diagnostic tests to effectively assess your digestive concerns. There’s no referral needed, so you can easily schedule an appointment at one of our four convenient locations in West Ashley, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, and Carnes Crossroads. Relief is right around the corner, so get in touch today!
TREATMENT
Because the specific type and cause of dysphagia dictates its treatment, our gastroenterologists create customized treatment plans for each patient. Here is what we typically recommend for each type of dysphagia:
Oropharyngeal dysphagia
Speech/swallowing therapy: Guides exercises to improve muscle coordination and nerve function
Swallowing techniques: Changes eating habits like food placement, body, and head position to facilitate easier swallowing
Esophageal dysphagia
Esophageal dilation: Stretches narrow areas using a balloon or tube
Surgery: Removes blockages or treats tumors, achalasia, or diverticula
Medications: Prescribed to alleviate symptoms, such as antacids for GERD sufferers, corticosteroids for eosinophilic esophagitis, or muscle relaxants for spasms
Diet changes: Manages symptoms by introducing lifestyle changes, such as a meal plan
Severe dysphagia
Feeding tube: Provides the body with the necessary nutrition when safe swallowing cannot be achieved
Surgical options
Heller myotomy: Cuts the lower esophageal sphincter muscle to treat achalasia
POEM (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy): Makes a minimally invasive incision and muscle cut to treat achalasia
Stent placement: Opens a narrowed or blocked esophagus, either temporarily or permanently
Botox injection: Relaxes the esophageal sphincter to encourage safe swallowing, with repeat treatment sometimes recommended
PREVENTION
While swallowing difficulties cannot be completely avoided, there are several ways to reduce your risk. Our Charleston GI specialists recommend eating slowly and chewing food thoroughly to prevent choking and occasional swallowing issues.
Trouble swallowing can lead to trouble sleeping as well. Our trusted gastroenterologists recommend raising the head of your bed. It’s an easy way to use gravity to your advantage, helping keep food and liquids from moving upward. In fact, according to the National Library of Medicine, positioning your body at a 45 degree angle can improve swallowing.
It’s also important to avoid eating or drinking at least three hours before bedtime. Some patients benefit from sleeping on their side, especially the left side if acid reflux is to blame. More serious conditions, like sleep apnea, may be linked to dysphagia. Consult your GI doctor to learn more about CPAP, nerve stimulation, and other treatments.
How common is dysphagia?
According to the Dysphagia Research Society, between 300,000 and 700,000 adults experience swallowing problems each year in the U.S. That’s about one in six people! While studies show that dysphagia is quite common, about half of sufferers don’t mention symptoms to their doctor.
Dysphagia is more common than many people realize, so don’t suffer in silence!
Is dysphagia curable?
While some patients recover completely from dysphagia, others require ongoing care.
Dysphagia caused by structural problems can be corrected, but neurological conditions typically require long-term management. Treatment prioritizes safe swallowing, maintaining good nutrition, and preventing complications.
Is dysphagia life threatening?
When serious complications arise, dysphagia can indeed be life threatening. Conditions like aspiration pneumonia, dehydration, malnutrition, or choking may occur if dysphagia is left untreated and could potentially have fatal outcomes.
What are the warning signs of esophageal dysphagia?
Remain on the lookout for the following signs of esophageal dysphagia:
Painful swallowing
Difficulty swallowing or inability to swallow
Feeling like food is stuck in the throat or chest
Drooling
Regurgitation
Unintentional weight loss
Needing to avoid certain foods or cut it into very small pieces
What are the warning signs of oropharyngeal dysphagia?
Signs of oropharyngeal dysphagia may include:
Trouble initiating a swallow
Hoarseness
Taking a long time to chew
Drooling
Unintentional weight loss
Other neurological symptoms
What are the risk factors for dysphagia?
Age is a leading risk factor for dysphagia. As people get older, their muscles weaken, and neurological conditions occur more often, which increases the odds of developing swallowing problems. Many disorders associated with dysphagia also occur with higher frequency in older adults, but keep in mind that aging itself is not a direct cause.
What happens if dysphagia is left untreated?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of dysphagia, contact your gastroenterologist today. Failure to treat dysphagia can result in serious complications, like these:
Dehydration
Malnutrition
Choking
Silent aspiration
Aspiration pneumonia
What is Dysphagia?
Put simply, dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that makes it difficult for food and liquids to travel from the mouth to the stomach. Because digestion requires coordinated muscle motion and significant nerve control, swallowing can become nearly impossible when any part of the system malfunctions.
Dysphagia may involve the throat, the esophagus, or both. There are several potential causes, including neurological conditions, scar tissue, surgeries, or digestive issues. Depending on the cause, symptoms may vary from mildly uncomfortable to life threatening. That’s why it’s important to seek trusted guidance from your Charleston GI doctor as soon as possible.
Will it affect my lifestyle?
Unfortunately, dysphagia can negatively impact everyday life. People may experience:
Nutrition concerns: Difficulty swallowing can lead to dehydration or malnutrition
Emotional changes: Fear of choking or food getting stuck can inspire anxiety
Social challenges: Some people avoid eating with others, which may lead to loneliness.
Health risks: Without treatment, dysphagia raises the chance of chest infections, aspiration pneumonia, and irritation from stomach acid or thin liquids entering the airway.
Is dysphagia preventable?
It is not possible to completely prevent dysphagia, but you can lower your risk by eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, and treating GI conditions early.
What are the best ways to cope?
Your Charleston GI physician can help you implement daily strategies that make swallowing safer and easier. Here’s an example of coping methods:
Chewing thoroughly: Small bites and careful chewing reduce choking risks.
Drinking thickened liquids: Thicker drinks can prevent aspiration by moving slower through the throat.
Managing dysphagia symptoms can help promote safe mealtimes as well as restore confidence. Working in tandem with healthcare professionals and caregivers, patients can establish simple routines that help alleviate dysphagia symptoms.
SCHEDULE YOUR GI APPOINTMENT TODAY, NO REFERRAL NEEDED
To learn more about effective treatment for GI tract issues in Charleston, SC, get in touch today! Here at Charleston GI, we provide a range of medical treatments to help you feel your best, all while remaining dedicated to a higher standard of caring.
Medical Disclaimer: This page is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace evaluation or care from a licensed healthcare provider. Screening recommendations and results vary by individual. Viewing this page does not create a doctor-patient relationship.
To learn more about effective treatment for GI tract issues in Charleston, SC, get in touch today! Here at Charleston GI, we provide a range of medical treatments to help you feel your best, all while remaining dedicated to a higher standard of caring.
