Difficulty swallowing is something most people encounter at some time in life. If and when the problem continues for an extended period of time, it is often recommended that the individual obtain a dysphagia evaluation. For, while most causes can be resolved quickly and easily, the condition at times can be a warning of other illnesses.
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 cases in which individuals might be ill aware of a problem, most often it is because it is due to this type of obstruction. For, if the obstruction begins below the throat, there are often no visible symptoms. When this happens, most often digestive and intestinal issues will arise within a few days.
It should be noted that while odynophagia and dysphagia are connected, there is a great deal more pain with odynophagia. Globus is another similar condition in which the individual feels a lump in the throat either with or without pain. Regardless of symptoms, if an individual is having trouble swallowing either on an intermittent or ongoing basis, it is important to check in with a primary health care provider as to the cause and associated treatment.
When these type of conditions go untreated, there is often a much higher risk of experiencing aspiration based pneumonia or pulmonary aspiration due to the food and liquids taking the wrong route and becoming absorbed in the lungs. Individuals with a silent form of aspiration often do not have a cough or other symptoms. As such, it can be easy for these conditions to go unnoticed and untreated. If the condition remains untreated, an individual can often experience malnutrition, dehydration, or both, thus increasing the chance of renal failure.
Individuals suffering from dysphagia can also have issues such as not being able to control saliva and food, unexplained weight loss, coughs, nasal regurgitation and a wet voice. As such, individuals suffering from dysphagia on a long term basis may want to carry tissues when visiting family and friends, in public venues and while at work. For, a number of these symptoms can cause an individual to spontaneously drool or drop foods and liquids while drinking and eating meals or snacks.
During an evaluation, when asked where food is getting stuck, most individuals point towards the neck region. While this is the case, the actual site of obstruction is always at or below the area in which the blockage is perceived. In this case, most individuals report feeling as if food is being held up or stuck before or while traveling to the stomach.
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 cases in which individuals might be ill aware of a problem, most often it is because it is due to this type of obstruction. For, if the obstruction begins below the throat, there are often no visible symptoms. When this happens, most often digestive and intestinal issues will arise within a few days.
It should be noted that while odynophagia and dysphagia are connected, there is a great deal more pain with odynophagia. Globus is another similar condition in which the individual feels a lump in the throat either with or without pain. Regardless of symptoms, if an individual is having trouble swallowing either on an intermittent or ongoing basis, it is important to check in with a primary health care provider as to the cause and associated treatment.
When these type of conditions go untreated, there is often a much higher risk of experiencing aspiration based pneumonia or pulmonary aspiration due to the food and liquids taking the wrong route and becoming absorbed in the lungs. Individuals with a silent form of aspiration often do not have a cough or other symptoms. As such, it can be easy for these conditions to go unnoticed and untreated. If the condition remains untreated, an individual can often experience malnutrition, dehydration, or both, thus increasing the chance of renal failure.
Individuals suffering from dysphagia can also have issues such as not being able to control saliva and food, unexplained weight loss, coughs, nasal regurgitation and a wet voice. As such, individuals suffering from dysphagia on a long term basis may want to carry tissues when visiting family and friends, in public venues and while at work. For, a number of these symptoms can cause an individual to spontaneously drool or drop foods and liquids while drinking and eating meals or snacks.
During an evaluation, when asked where food is getting stuck, most individuals point towards the neck region. While this is the case, the actual site of obstruction is always at or below the area in which the blockage is perceived. In this case, most individuals report feeling as if food is being held up or stuck before or while traveling to the stomach.
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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