What is Dysphagia?
Dysphagia is defined by difficulty in swallowing. It may be accompanied by heartburn or vomiting. It should be discerned from both Globus sensations ( in which anxious people feel a lump in the throat without organic cause) and odynophagia (pain during swallowing, usually from gastro-oesophageal reflux or candidiasis).
Dysphagia can occur due to any abnormalities in the oropharynx or esophagus. Oropharyngeal disorders can cause problems at the beginning of swallowing at the pharynx and upper oesophageal sphincter. Oesophageal disorders cause dysphagia by blocking the lumen or by affecting the movements.
Causative factors of dysphagia:
- Achalasia cardia
- Diffuse esophageal spasm
- Oesophageal stricture
- Foreign bodies
- GERD
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Scleroderma
- Radiation therapy
Achalasia cardia:
Achalasia cardia is caused by abnormal function of the nerve controlling the esophagus muscles and valve or sphincter between the esophagus and stomach.
Symptoms:
- Dysphagia (Inability to swallow ), which may feel like food or drink has obstructed the throat.
- Regurgitating food or saliva
- Heartburn
- Chest pain comes and goes.
- Coughing at night
- Weight loss
- Vomiting.
Diffuse esophageal spasm:
Diffuse esophageal spasm is a rare motility disorder of the esophagus. It is due to uncoordinated simultaneous contractions of the musculature of the esophagus.
Oesophageal stricture:
Oesophageal stricture means abnormal narrowing of the oesophageal canal due to constant irritation or damage caused by the backflow of acid content from the stomach.
Oesophageal foreign bodies:
Oesophagus is more prone to get foreign body impaction. Food and other swallowed object can affect the esophagus. Oesophageal foreign bodies cause dysphagia and can lead to ulceration and perforation due to damage in the esophagus.
GERD:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive disorder that affects the lower oesophageal sphincter, the ring of the muscle between the oesophagus and stomach. Damaged tissues of the esophagus from stomach acid backing up lead to spasms, scarring and narrowing of the food pipe that causes difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia).
Several factors may trigger GERD. Anyone can develop this condition, including men and women, infants and children.
Eosinophilic esophagitis:
It is an allergic inflammatory condition of the esophagus. Food and pollen are the most common causative factors. Symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease can be similar. Eosinophilic esophagitis is diagnosed via a test called an upper endoscopy. It may be treated with dietary changes and medicines.
Scleroderma:
Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue. For many, it’s a life-threatening disease. Scleroderma affects women, children, and men.
It mainly affects women between the age of 30-50. Most of the 80% of patients are women.
Patients with scleroderma may present with dysphagia due to loss of muscular peristaltic contraction of the esophagus, known as aperistalsis. When this occurs food gets stuck in the esophagus which may cause injury and scarring which leads to the narrowing of the food pipe, acid reflux, etc.
Radiation Therapy:
Radiation therapy is given to patients with cancer, especially of the head and neck. Radiation therapy is an effective treatment of line but it can lead to dysphagia as it causes stiffness and deformity in the mucosal lining of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
- Radiation-induced dysphagia can cause several symptoms:
- Painful and effortful swallowing
- Drooling of saliva
- Regurgitation of the food
- Weight loss etc.
For more information, you can visit WebMD and HealthLine.
