Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, is an upper digestive tract problem wherein a person has trouble taking in food and water. It is considered to more of a symptom than a disease because it can be caused by a variety of health problems. in some cases, jaw pain or pain the throat can cause trouble swallowing.
Although anyone can have difficulty swallowing, it is more common in the elderly. Swallowing difficulties can be associated with the following conditions:
• Nervous system disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and cerebral palsy
• Problems with your esophagus, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Stroke
• Head or spinal cord injury
• Cancer of the head, neck, or esophagus
Treatment for difficulty swallowing depends on the cause. It is very important that the underlying cause of dysphagia is established before treatment is done.
Medications may help other people with difficulty swallowing, while some may need surgery. Swallowing treatment with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help. Sometimes, a change in the diet may be helpful. In others, holding their head or neck in certain way when they eat may also help. In very serious cases, people may need feeding tubes.
Sources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/swallowingdisorders.html. Accessed 6/6/10.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/swallowing_disorders/swallowing_disorders.htm. Accessed 6/6/10.
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Although anyone can have difficulty swallowing, it is more common in the elderly. Swallowing difficulties can be associated with the following conditions:
• Nervous system disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and cerebral palsy
• Problems with your esophagus, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Stroke
• Head or spinal cord injury
• Cancer of the head, neck, or esophagus
Treatment for difficulty swallowing depends on the cause. It is very important that the underlying cause of dysphagia is established before treatment is done.
Medications may help other people with difficulty swallowing, while some may need surgery. Swallowing treatment with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help. Sometimes, a change in the diet may be helpful. In others, holding their head or neck in certain way when they eat may also help. In very serious cases, people may need feeding tubes.
Sources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/swallowingdisorders.html. Accessed 6/6/10.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/swallowing_disorders/swallowing_disorders.htm. Accessed 6/6/10.
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