Difficulty when swallowing (dysphagia) is common among all age groups, especially the elderly. The term dysphagia refers to the feeling of difficulty passing food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. This may be caused by many factors, most of which are temporary and not threatening. Difficulties in swallowing rarely represent a more serious disease, such as a tumor or a progressive neurological disorder. When the difficulty does not clear up by itself in a short period of time, you should see an otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon.
Insight into complications and treatment
- What are the symptoms of swallowing disorders?
- How are swallowing disorders diagnosed?
- How are swallowing disorders treated?
- and more…
How do we swallow?
People normally swallow hundreds of times a day to eat solids, drink liquids, and swallow the normal saliva and mucus that the body produces. The process of swallowing has four related stages:
- The first stage is the oral preparation stage, where food or liquid is manipulated and chewed in preparation for swallowing.
- The second stage is the oral stage, where the tongue propels the food or liquid to the back of the mouth, starting the swallowing response.
- The third stage is the pharyngeal stage which begins as food or liquid is quickly passed through the pharynx, the region of the throat which connects the mouth with the esophagus, then into the esophagus or swallowing tube.
- In the final, esophageal stage, the food or liquid passes through the esophagus into the stomach.
Although the first and second stages have some voluntary control, stages three and four occur involuntarily, without conscious input.
What are the symptoms of swallowing disorders?
Symptoms of swallowing disorders may include:
- Drooling
- A feeling that food or liquid is sticking in the throat
- Discomfort in the throat or chest (when gastro esophageal reflux is present)
- A sensation of a foreign body or “lump” in the throat
- Weight loss and inadequate nutrition due to prolonged or more significant problems with swallowing
- Coughing or choking caused by bits of food, liquid, or saliva not passing easily during swallowing, and being sucked into the lungs
- Voice change
How are swallowing disorders diagnosed?
When dysphagia is persistent and the cause is not apparent, the otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon will discuss the history of your problem and examine your mouth and throat. This may be done with the aid of mirrors. Sometimes a small tube (flexible laryngoscope) is placed through the nose and the patient is then given food to eat while the scope is in place in the throat. These procedures provide visualization of the back of the tongue, throat, and larynx (voice box). These procedures are called FEES (Fiber optic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) or FEESST (Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing with Sensory Testing). If necessary, an examination of the esophagus, named TransNasal Esophagoscopy (TNE), may be carried out by the otolaryngologist. If you experience difficulty swallowing, it is important to seek treatment to avoid malnutrition and dehydration.
How are swallowing disorders treated?
Many of these disorders can be treated with medication. Drugs that slow stomach acid production, muscle relaxants, and antacids are a few of the many medicines available. Treatment is tailored to the particular cause of the swallowing disorder.
Gastro esophageal reflux can often be treated by changing eating and living habits in these ways:
- Eat a bland diet with smaller, more frequent meals.
- Eliminate tobacco, alcohol and caffeine.
- Reduce weight and stress.
- Avoid food within three hours of bedtime.
- Elevate the head of the bed at night.
If these don’t help, antacids between meals and at bedtime may provide relief.
Many swallowing disorders may be helped by direct swallowing therapy. A speech pathologist can provide special exercises for coordinating the swallowing muscles or stimulating the nerves that trigger the swallow reflex. Patients may also be taught simple ways to place food in the mouth or position the body and head to help the swallow occur successfully.
Some patients with swallowing disorders have difficulty feeding themselves. An occupational therapist or a speech language pathologist can aid the patient and family in feeding techniques. These techniques make the patient as independent as possible. A dietician or nutritional expert can determine the amount of food or liquid necessary to sustain an individual and whether supplements are necessary.
Once the cause is determined, swallowing disorders may be treated with:
- medication
- swallowing therapy
- surgery
Surgery is used to treat certain problems. If a narrowing exists in the throat or esophagus, the area may need to be stretched or dilated. If a muscle is too tight, it may need to be dilated or released surgically. This procedure is called a myotomy and is performed by an otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon.
Many diseases contribute to swallowing disorders. If you have a persistent problem swallowing, see an otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon.
What causes swallowing disorders?
Any interruption in the swallowing process can cause difficulties. Eating slowly and chewing thoroughly can help reduce problems with swallowing. However, difficulties may be due to a range of other causes, including something as simple as poor teeth, ill fitting dentures, or a common cold. One of the most common causes of dysphagia is gastro esophageal reflux. This occurs when stomach acid moves up the esophagus to the pharynx, causing discomfort. Other causes may include: hypertension; diabetes; thyroid disease; stroke; progressive neurologic disorder; the presence of a tracheotomy tube; a paralyzed or unmoving vocal cord; a tumor in the mouth, throat, or esophagus; or surgery in the head, neck, or esophageal areas.
Swallowing difficulty can also be connected to some medications including:
- Nitrates
- Anticholinergic agents found in certain anti-depressants and allergy medications
- Calcium tablets
- Calcium channel blockers
- Aspirin
- Iron tablets
- Vitamin C
- Antipsychotic
- Tetracycline (used to treat acne)
Frequently Asked Questions
Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing food or liquids from the mouth to the stomach and is common among all age groups, especially the elderly. While often temporary and non-threatening, persistent dysphagia should be evaluated by a head and neck specialist.
Symptoms of swallowing disorders may include drooling, a feeling of food sticking in the throat, throat or chest discomfort, a sensation of a lump in the throat, weight loss due to poor nutrition, coughing or choking during swallowing, and voice changes.
Diagnosis involves a thorough history and examination of the mouth and throat by an otolaryngologist. Techniques such as flexible laryngoscopy (FEES or FEESST) allow visualization of swallowing in real-time, and specialized procedures like TransNasal Esophagoscopy (TNE) can examine the esophagus if needed.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include medications to reduce stomach acid or relax muscles, lifestyle changes to manage reflux, swallowing therapy with a speech pathologist, nutritional support, and in some cases, surgery to dilate or release tight muscles in the throat or esophagus.
Effective changes include eating a bland diet with smaller meals, avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, losing weight, reducing stress, not eating within three hours before bedtime, and elevating the head of the bed at night. If symptoms persist, antacids may be recommended.
Swallowing involves four stages: first, oral preparation where food is chewed; second, oral phase where the tongue moves food to the throat; third, pharyngeal phase which involuntarily passes food through the throat into the esophagus; and fourth, esophageal phase where food moves down to the stomach. The last two stages happen without conscious control.
Yes, certain medications such as nitrates, anticholinergics in antidepressants and allergy meds, calcium supplements, calcium channel blockers, aspirin, iron tablets, vitamin C, antipsychotics, and tetracycline can contribute to or worsen swallowing problems.
If swallowing problems persist and do not resolve quickly, it is important to seek evaluation from an otolaryngologist to diagnose the cause and prevent complications like malnutrition or dehydration. Persistent or worsening symptoms require prompt medical attention.
