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Difficulty swallowing can occur at any age, but is most common in older adults, premature babies, and people with problems of the brain or nervous system.. It is usually a sign of a problem with the throat or esophagus, the muscular tube that moves food and liquids from the back of mouth to the stomach. This may also be associated with pain. In some cases, the patient may also not be able to swallow.
Causes
Problems related to the upper areas of the mouth and pharynx (throat)
- Obstruction to the passage of food or liquid
- Emotional or disorder (globus hystericus)
- Tumors
- Cervical spine disease
- Zenker's diverticulum
- Esophageal webs
- Nerve and muscle problems
- Multiple sclerosis
- (Lou Gehrig's disease)
- Myasthenia gravis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Infections, such as polio and syphilis
- Polymyositis
Problems related to the esophagus
- Obstruction to the passage of food or liquid
- Tumors
- Strictures (narrowings) due to radiation, chemical ingestions, medications, or ulcers
- Foreign bodies
- Nerve and muscle problems
- Diffuse esophageal spasm
- Hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter
- Nutcracker esophagus
Symptoms
- Choking
- Chronic cough
- Coughing during swallowing
- Heartburn
- Hoarse voice
- Painful swallowing
- Pressure sensation in the chest after swallowing
- Sore throat
- Weight loss
Additional symptoms that may occur with difficulty speaking due to stroke
- Sudden numbness in one arm or leg
- Arm numbness (unilateral)
- Leg numbness (unilateral)
- Arm and leg numbness (unilateral)
- Facial weakness
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty with balance
- Loss of coordination
- Vision loss
- Vision changes
- Confusion
- Memory loss
Natural Care
- Avoid alcohol.
- Try to avoid the food that irritates the esophagus.
- Reduce medications that irritate the esophagus.
- Do not lie on the back immediately after eating.
- Eat a small meal in the evening.
- Raise the head of bed.
- Chew food completely.
- Go for any antacid, such as Maalox, Mylanta
- Choose any of the acid-blocker medication, such as Tagamet, Axid, Zantac, Pepcid
- Take prescribed medications as directed.
Treatments
- Exercises are suggested for the swallowing muscles.
- Change the food you eat. Eat certain foods and liquids that are easy to swallow.
- Use dilatation. In this treatment, a device is placed down the esophagus to expand any of the narrow areas of esophagus.
- Make use of endoscopy. A long, thin scope is used to remove an object that is stuck in the esophagus.
- Surgery, is done if something is blocked in the esophagus.
- Prescription medicines prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus, and the infections in the esophagus are often treated with antibiotic medicines.
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