Difficulty Swallowing: Could It Be a Sign of a Serious Problem?

Difficulty Swallowing: Could It Be a Sign of a Serious Problem?

If you have difficulty swallowing, it can be difficult to tell if it is a serious problem or one that will go away on its own. Fortunately, when you turn to the gastroenterology specialists at Bergen Medical Associates, you can expect direct answers and personalized, attentive care from our multi-specialty medical team in northern New Jersey. Here, we explore what difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) may mean.

What Is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. When we swallow, there are many muscles and nerves within our bodies that work together to help move food or liquid down into our stomachs. Occasionally, individuals may experience trouble, discomfort, or even pain when attempting to swallow. They may feel as though they have food stuck in their throat or had food go “down the wrong pipe.” However, people with dysphagia experience persistent pain and discomfort when they swallow. Other symptoms of dysphagia include:

• Not being able to swallow
• Feeling as if food is stuck in the throat, chest, or behind the breastbone
• Hoarseness
• Food coming back up, called regurgitation
• Frequent heartburn
• Food or stomach acid backing up into the throat
• Coughing or gagging when swallowing

What Are the Different Types of Dysphagia?

Because so many parts of the body are involved in the swallowing process, there are different types of dysphagia you may be dealing with. They include:

• Oral dysphagia: This type deals with complications involving your jaw, tongue, and teeth.
• Oropharyngeal dysphagia: This type, also known as transfer dysphagia, revolves around issues with liquids and food particles moving down your throat. Issues can include choking, gagging, or coughing when attempting to swallow food. Liquids may also go up the nose or into the trachea.
• Esophageal dysphagia: This type occurs when food or fluid has trouble making it through the esophagus. During the normal swallowing process, fluids and chewed food particles are squeezed through this passage by peristalsis, helping the items reach the stomach.

What Might Be the Cause of Difficulty Swallowing?

Since the swallowing process involves so many muscles and nerves, there are several possible causes of dysphagia. In most cases, the feeling is nothing to worry about and will clear up on its own. However, in some instances, it could be the result of an underlying medical condition that requires medical attention. These include:

• Esophageal spasms
• Muscular dystrophy
• Cricopharyngeal spasms
• Myositis
• Scleroderma
• Hiatal hernia
• Acid reflux (GERD)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Infections

You may also struggle to swallow if you’re recovering from a surgical procedure involving the head or neck. Older individuals are more likely to deal with these complications as they may suffer from degenerative conditions.

How Is Dysphagia Diagnosed and Treated?

While difficulty swallowing may clear up on its own, if the problem persists, it’s important to seek medical attention. Meeting with a medical professional, such as a gastroenterologist, can help identify the cause of the problem and develop a treatment plan. They may perform a physical exam as well as other tests that involve the swallowing process, including:

Esophagram

In this test, a radiologist will have you swallow a barium solution while taking X-rays. The solution helps show your esophagus clearly so doctors can see how your muscles work during the swallowing process.

Laryngoscopy

In this test, a doctor will use a small scope to examine the throat by placing it in your nose. This can help them find any abnormalities.

Esophagoduodenoscopy (EGD)

In this test, a gastroenterology specialist will place a scope down the throat, which allows them to capture images of the area. They’ll be able to examine the throat, esophagus, and stomach in greater detail, helping them rule out or identify certain conditions.

Once the root of the problem has been determined, doctors will proceed with treatment. Treatment for difficulty swallowing depends on the cause. However, it may involve prescribing medication, adjusting your diet, or providing medical therapy.

Trust Bergen Medical Associates for Dysphagia Care Near You in New Jersey

Swallowing is something we do daily, so don’t wait to see a specialist if you’re having issues with it. At Bergen Medical Associates, our staff is full of experienced, board-certified medical professionals passionate about helping our patients. This has helped our practice build a reputation within our northern New Jersey communities. We’ll work tirelessly to find out the cause of your problems and create an effective treatment plan.

We know that it can be hard to make it out to an appointment, which is why we’re proud to have six locations and even offer telehealth visits. This makes seeing a doctor even more convenient. Seek answers for dysphagia by visiting the team at Bergen Medical Associates. Contact us today if you have any medical questions or are interested in scheduling an appointment. We have locations in Emerson, Montvale, Northvale, Paramus, and Ridgewood, NJ, making it easy to find treatment near you.