Discovering A Dysphagia Evaluation For Throat Issues

By Harold Ellis


Difficulty swallowing is something most people encounter at some time in life. If and when the problem continues for an extended period of time, it is often recommended that the individual obtain a dysphagia evaluation. For, while most causes can be resolved quickly and easily, the condition at times can be a warning of other illnesses.

While most people are aware of symptoms, not all those whom have trouble swallowing realize there is a blockage somewhere between the throat and stomach. In some cases, people experience the condition on a seasonal basis when having severe allergies such as cedar and hay fever. Most often, an allergy-D medication can help reduce nasal congestion, swelling and assist in better breathing.

In cases in which individuals might be ill aware of a problem, most often it is because it is due to this type of obstruction. For, if the obstruction begins below the throat, there are often no visible symptoms. When this happens, most often digestive and intestinal issues will arise within a few days.

While dysphagia and odynophagia are similar in scope, there is often a great deal more pain with odynophagia. Whereas, a condition known as globus can also cause distress in the throat which can often feel like a lump which at times can be accompanied by pain or soreness. In either case, if the condition does not go away in a day or two, it is often advised that the individual seek out an evaluation to determine the primary cause and best available treatment.

When these conditions go untreated, individuals run a higher risk of pulmonary aspiration and aspiration based pneumonia due to liquids and food taking the wrong route and becoming absorbed into the lungs. As a result, individuals with silent aspiration which do not have a cough or other symptoms, can often experience renal failure following a period of dehydration or malnutrition.

People with these conditions often have other issues such as having the inability to control saliva and food, trouble keeping food in the mouth, coughing, a wet voice and nasal regurgitation. In fact, a number of people experiencing different forms of dysphagia often carry tissues when out in public, at school, in the workplace or when visiting friends and family as symptoms can often arise without warning.

When asked where food is stuck, most people point to the neck area. In all cases, the obstruction is either above or below this location. Whereas, the most common area in which individuals feel such a blockage is just below the throat. While this is the case, obstructions can occur anywhere from the top of the throat all the way down to the lower intestine and bowel.

Esophageal dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing food or liquids and can often be treated easily and quickly in a doctor's office. Whereas, odynophagia is far more complicated. For, the condition has specific symptoms which at times can be indicative of cancer. While this is the case, odynophagia can also be indicative of a number of non-cancer related illnesses.




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