When it comes to swallowing, most people have no problem. While this is the case, individuals whom do have trouble swallowing may need to seek out a dysphagia evaluation. While the term dysphagia is associated with signs and symptoms, it actually refers to difficulty swallowing foods or liquids.
While most people know about the problem at the point of origin, there can be some instances in which dysphagia can occur without noticeable symptoms. In most cases, it is considered a sign or symptom of a minor illness or allergies. Whereas, the condition can also be a stand alone issue due to a blockage of food or liquids somewhere between the throat or stomach.
In the cases in which individuals might not be aware the condition is occurring, it is because the primary cause is in passing solids or liquids from the throat to the mouth and stomach. As such, if there is a blockage between the throat and stomach, individuals rarely know anything is wrong. As a result, it is often recommended that individuals showing any ongoing signs or symptoms of these conditions obtain an evaluation as quickly as possible.
While dysphagia and odynophagia are connected, most individuals experience a great deal more pain with odynophagia. Whereas, another condition known as globus can make an individual feel like something is stuck in the throat sometimes to the point of being painful. When experiencing any of these symptoms, it is often advised that the individual check with a primary health care provider to discover the cause and proper treatment.
When any type of condition goes untreated for an extended period of time, the individual runs the risk of complications. In some cases, this can be pulmonary aspiration or aspiration based pneumonia due to foods and liquids getting into the lungs. As a result, individuals experiencing silent forms of aspiration can, at times, experience renal failure due to dehydration or malnutrition.
People with dysphagia also have trouble keeping food in the mouth, experience the inability to control food and saliva, coughs, unexplained weight loss, a wet voice and nasal regurgitation. As such, individuals experiencing dysphagia on an ongoing basis may want to carry tissues in case symptoms arise in public places, while at work or when visiting family and friends.
During an evaluation, individuals are often asked where one feels food is getting stuck. In most cases, people point to the neck region. While close, the actual location of the obstruction is always below or above the area in which the obstruction is perceived. As such, an evaluation often includes the area above the throat all the way down to the area of the lower intestine.
Most often, this type of blockage is related to esophageal dysphagia which correlates to difficulty swallowing. On the other hand, odynophagia is a more severe form which can be indicative of cancer. While concerning, odynophagia can also be signs and symptoms of several non-cancer related illnesses and issues.
While most people know about the problem at the point of origin, there can be some instances in which dysphagia can occur without noticeable symptoms. In most cases, it is considered a sign or symptom of a minor illness or allergies. Whereas, the condition can also be a stand alone issue due to a blockage of food or liquids somewhere between the throat or stomach.
In the cases in which individuals might not be aware the condition is occurring, it is because the primary cause is in passing solids or liquids from the throat to the mouth and stomach. As such, if there is a blockage between the throat and stomach, individuals rarely know anything is wrong. As a result, it is often recommended that individuals showing any ongoing signs or symptoms of these conditions obtain an evaluation as quickly as possible.
While dysphagia and odynophagia are connected, most individuals experience a great deal more pain with odynophagia. Whereas, another condition known as globus can make an individual feel like something is stuck in the throat sometimes to the point of being painful. When experiencing any of these symptoms, it is often advised that the individual check with a primary health care provider to discover the cause and proper treatment.
When any type of condition goes untreated for an extended period of time, the individual runs the risk of complications. In some cases, this can be pulmonary aspiration or aspiration based pneumonia due to foods and liquids getting into the lungs. As a result, individuals experiencing silent forms of aspiration can, at times, experience renal failure due to dehydration or malnutrition.
People with dysphagia also have trouble keeping food in the mouth, experience the inability to control food and saliva, coughs, unexplained weight loss, a wet voice and nasal regurgitation. As such, individuals experiencing dysphagia on an ongoing basis may want to carry tissues in case symptoms arise in public places, while at work or when visiting family and friends.
During an evaluation, individuals are often asked where one feels food is getting stuck. In most cases, people point to the neck region. While close, the actual location of the obstruction is always below or above the area in which the obstruction is perceived. As such, an evaluation often includes the area above the throat all the way down to the area of the lower intestine.
Most often, this type of blockage is related to esophageal dysphagia which correlates to difficulty swallowing. On the other hand, odynophagia is a more severe form which can be indicative of cancer. While concerning, odynophagia can also be signs and symptoms of several non-cancer related illnesses and issues.
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