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.
When individuals are ill-aware of the condition, it is often because the primary cause is passing solids or liquids from the mouth to the throat and stomach. As a result, since individuals rarely feel food and liquids passing from the throat to the stomach, it can often be impossible to know anything is wrong. Still, anyone showing symptoms of these conditions, especially on a long-term basis need obtain a health evaluation as soon 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 these conditions go untreated, individuals run a higher risk of pulmonary aspiration and aspiration based pneumonia due to liquids and food taking the wrong route and becoming absorbed into the lungs. As a result, individuals with silent aspiration which do not have a cough or other symptoms, can often experience renal failure following a period of dehydration or malnutrition.
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, 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.
When individuals are ill-aware of the condition, it is often because the primary cause is passing solids or liquids from the mouth to the throat and stomach. As a result, since individuals rarely feel food and liquids passing from the throat to the stomach, it can often be impossible to know anything is wrong. Still, anyone showing symptoms of these conditions, especially on a long-term basis need obtain a health evaluation as soon 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 these conditions go untreated, individuals run a higher risk of pulmonary aspiration and aspiration based pneumonia due to liquids and food taking the wrong route and becoming absorbed into the lungs. As a result, individuals with silent aspiration which do not have a cough or other symptoms, can often experience renal failure following a period of dehydration or malnutrition.
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, 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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