Signs of Dysphagia and When You Need to Worry

Difficulty in swallowing, also known as dysphagia, can progress over time until life-changing complications require immediate attention. It can help to be aware of the early warning signs indicative of underlying issues, to avoid issues later. Finding it difficult to swallow can often be a one-off problem due to irritation in the throat. However, when in doubt it is always best to seek the advice of a qualified professional who can either diagnose you during an examination and initiate a treatment plan if needed or provide peace of mind that there is nothing to worry about.

Signs of Dysphagia

Swallowing is a complex process, meaning that any condition that impacts the muscles used in the mouth and throat can cause oropharyngeal dysphagia and the esophagus can cause esophageal dysphagia. Not all symptoms need to be present for dysphagia to be investigated. Difficulty in swallowing is dangerous and treatment should be sought at the first sign that there is something wrong. For instance,

• Frequent coughing and choking
• Regurgitation
• Food feeling stuck in the throat or chest
• Persistent drooling of saliva
• Inability to chew food well
• The constant need to clear the throat
• Pain and discomfort

How Dysphagia is Treated

These symptoms do not have to last forever and can be minimized with the right treatment. This will be explored with the help of healthcare professionals and specialists. Treatments for difficulty in swallowing depend on the problem identified during examinations. The common types of treatment for dysphagia include speech and language therapy to recover swallowing through muscle exercises, changing the consistency of food with thickeners like SimplyThick gel to make it easier to swallow, surgery to expand the esophagus if food is unable to pass through, and in emergency scenarios, feeding through tubes to prevent malnutrition and dehydration.

Also, Read This: How Life May Change After a Dementia Diagnosis

How Dysphagia is Diagnosed

As soon as difficulty in swallowing is suspected, it is necessary to seek an examination by a medical professional. They can consider signs of dysphagia, frequency and severity of symptoms, and changes in physical health and weight. If there is reason to believe a swallowing disorder is apparent, a referral to a specialist for further tests will follow. This is likely to include:

• A speech and language therapist – to carry out a swallow test and assess the mouth and throat muscles
• A neurologist – checks the brain, nerves, and spinal cord
• A gastroenterologist – to diagnose and treat conditions in the gullet, stomach, and intestines

The sooner medical attention is sought, the better. This is because the process of testing to identify the cause and solution can take time. During this time, symptoms can worsen, cause significant pain and discomfort, and lead to life-threatening complications. If you are experiencing persistent signs of difficulty in swallowing, be sure to seek advice from a qualified professional so that referrals to a specialist can be made for testing and diagnosing. Whilst difficulty in swallowing is not always a cause for concern, it is best to rule out underlying issues. Thankfully, for cases of ongoing dysphagia, there are multiple treatments available to reduce the severity of symptoms.