Various Treatment Methods For Dysphagia

All of us need to digest our food in proper manners for energizing our body. Many persons find it difficult to digest the food due to some problems in the throat. Difficulty in swallowing the food from the mouth to the stomach trough the throat is known as Dysphagia. People of all ages and both sexes are prone to this disease.

Causes - Dysphagia may be caused due to weakened muscles in the wall of the esophagus. Diffuse spasm is also responsible for the same. Hurdles in swallowing may be caused due to narrowed stricture. Difficulty in swallowing the food may be caused due to esophageal tumors. Some foreign substances in the throat may block it. GERD and scar-like tissues may also be behind Dysphagia that may occur due to radiation therapy too. This disease may attack because of neurological disorders or damages. Aging and certain cancers may also result in Dysphagia.

Symptoms - Persons suffering from Dysphagia generally complain of painful sensations while swallowing the food. They feel that food particles have got stuck in the throat or the chest. Other symptoms of this disease include drooling and hoarseness. The food sometimes starts coming back towards the throat. Heartburns, gagging and coughing are also the signs of this disease. Dysphagia patients may complain of weight loss too.

Treatment – Candidly, treatment for Dysphagia depends upon the causes that are responsible for the same. Following treatment methods are useful for curing it: 

Dilation – This method involves a device that is placed down the esophagus for expanding the narrow areas. Treatment may be repeated in many cases.

Exercising – Those affected with problems with their nerves, brain or muscles need to exercise their muscles. It helps them to work together for easy swallowing of food. The sufferers may also have to learn the positioning of their body or the techniques of putting food in the mouth for easy swallowing.

Change in diets – The doctor may advise changing the foods and liquids for proper swallowing.

Endoscopy – This process may be necessitated in certain cases. A long thin scope may be used for removing any object that might have stuck in the esophagus.

Surgery – This procedure may be required for removing any tumor or diverticula that might have blocked the esophagus. Surgery may be needed for the persons that are challenged with disordered lower esophageal muscle.

Medicines – Antibiotic medicines may be recommended for getting rid of infections in the esophagus. Stomach acid may be prevented from entering the esophagus with prescription medicines. Medications including corticosteroids may also be necessitated in certain cases. Feeding tube may be required in rare cases when someone feels difficulty in having food and liquids.

Visual examination of the esophagus and x-ray may be needed for the patients. Likewise Fiber-optic endoscopic swallowing evaluation may be needed for certain persons that suffer from Dysphagia.

PET, MRI Scan or CT may also be necessitated for few patients.

Those suffering from this disease are advised to form good eating habits. Food must be taken in smaller quantities. The patients must stay away from poor diets, caffeine and alcohol.