Understanding Dysphagia: Key Facts About Swallowing Problems

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Swallowing foods and beverages is second nature for most people. It doesn’t require a great deal of thought or effort; it just happens. After making the conscious decision to swallow, the rest of the process is essentially involuntary. That being said, for about a third of the population, mainly those who are 50 years old or more, swallowing isn’t quite as simple as it should be. Those in this category suffer from dysphagia, a condition that affects the ability to swallow normally. 

Exploring Key Details About Dysphagia

For those who suffer from swallowing problems or have loved ones who are living with dysphagia, understanding the condition is essential. The key facts listed here can give you a certain amount of insight into the condition. Beyond that, you can dig even deeper to find more information about swallowing disorders

Causes of Dysphagia

Dysphagia can stem from an array of causes. Those include narrowing or blockages in the esophagus, esophageal spasms, and swelling in the throat or esophagus. Weakened muscles in the mouth, throat, and esophagus can cause swallowing problems as well. Older people, those who have suffered from a stroke, and those with neurological conditions and muscular disorders are more likely to suffer from dysphagia. Still, it can affect anyone at any age. 

Unexpected Symptoms of Dysphagia

For people who live with dysphagia, difficulty swallowing may only be one of the symptoms that arise. Frequently feeling as though food is stuck in the throat is a common side effect of the condition, especially for those who have swelling or obstructions in the esophagus. Many experience frequent heartburn as well. Some find that their voice becomes hoarser than normal after developing dysphagia, and it can cause drooling due to being unable to control and swallow saliva.

Beyond Swallowing Foods

Many people associate dysphagia with struggling to swallow solid foods. That’s certainly the case for quite a few people who live with dysphagia. For others, though, swallowing liquids is an even bigger issue. They’re thinner and more difficult to control, so they can cause even more problems than solids. Of course, many people have difficulties with both solids and fluids. 

Risks That Come With Dysphagia

Dysphagia comes with far more dangers than many people realize. It places people at an increased risk of choking due to food to restricting the airway. It also increases the risks of malnutrition and dehydration. Suffering from swallowing difficulties takes a great deal of enjoyment out of eating and drinking, so people who live with this condition often avoid them. Being unable to swallow properly also prevents food and fluids from reaching the stomach where they can be digested and used to fuel the body. 

Dealing With Swallowing Difficulties

People generally take being able to swallow foods and beverages for granted. After all, it’s largely an involuntary process. For those who suffer from dysphagia, though, it’s not a given. It can detract from their enjoyment of foods and drinks and affect their quality of life. This condition comes with a number of symptoms and side effects beyond simply being unable to swallow properly. 

Treatments are available for dysphagia. They range from surgery and feeding tubes in extreme cases to simpler solutions like cutting foods into smaller pieces or using thickening agents for liquids. Swallowing therapy and other options are also available. Though swallowing problems can have profound effects, it’s also possible to mitigate them.