Swallowing is essential because it is how food moves from the mouth to the stomach when eating. Swallowing involves different phases, and it involves many muscles, the brain, and nerves. Disrupting any phase in the swallowing process can lead to disorders ranging from achalasia to narrowing of the esophagus.
These disorders often present with varying degrees of severity and symptoms. Some people might experience discomfort when eating, while others face more severe symptoms like malnourishment or even choking. The following disorders lead to different conditions, each calling for specific medical attention.
Achalasia
Achalasia is a severe and rare disease that causes difficulty swallowing. It affects the esophagus, the muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach. This problem arises when the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax, preventing the food from entering the stomach.
As a result, the esophagus also loses its ability to move food down through the digestive tract. This may lead to coughing, chest pain, or discomfort that makes food regurgitate back into the mouth.
Symptoms usually start gradually, including regurgitation, weight loss, and trouble swallowing solids and liquids. To manage these symptoms, medical professionals often recommend dietary changes as part of the treatment
So, patients and caregivers should buy thick food for swallowing disorders. Thick foods are easy to chew and swallow; they pass down slowly through the esophagus, reducing the possibility of aspiration. However, treatment can also involve medication, surgery, or esophageal stretching.
Esophagitis
Esophagitis refers to an inflamed esophagus. This condition can arise due to many different factors, but acid reflux is the primary cause. The acid irritates the lining of the esophagus when gastric juice rises upwards. Other triggers include side effects from some drugs, allergies, and infections.
Lesions of the esophagus usually present as chest pain and difficulty swallowing. The affected person can occasionally feel that food is stuck behind their breastbone. Untreated, chronic esophagitis could result in scarring, which could cause esophageal constriction and severe symptoms.
Oropharyngeal Swallowing Disorders
Oropharyngeal swallowing disorders start from the mouth to the throat, disrupting the initial phase of swallowing. They are usually caused by neurological problems such as stroke, brain damage, injuries, or Parkinson’s disease. As a result, swallowing muscles might atrophy or become uncoordinated. This causes a challenge in food movement from the mouth into the esophagus. Common symptoms of this condition are nasal regurgitation, coughing during meals, and a slurred voice following swallowing.
Esophageal Stricture
Esophageal stricture refers to a narrowed esophagus. This condition often presents as scar tissue, often associated with prolonged acid reflux, injury, or recurrent inflammation. Consequently, the esophagus becomes constricted, leading to difficulty in swallowing.
Discomfort when swallowing solid foods is usually the first symptom reported by those with esophageal stricture. Even fluids can be difficult to swallow as the situation gets more serious.
Some people experience chest discomfort, vomiting, and unexpected weight loss. During treatment, the physician examines the narrowed area of the esophagus by endoscopy and dilates it using special tools.
Swallowing disorders come in different forms and have many causes. Every condition calls for a specific course of treatment, depending on the cause. Some are associated with muscle impairment and achalasia, while others are caused by esophageal stricture.
However, swallowing difficulties can be treated through diet adjustment and medication, especially when detected early. So, people who experience pain or discomfort when swallowing should seek treatment on time.
