Dysphagia can be described as difficulty swallowing, called oropharyngeal dysphagia, or as the feeling of food retention between the mouth and stomach, called esophageal dysphagia.
It is very important to identify the type of dysphagia present to perform the most appropriate treatment and in some cases the types of dysphagia may occur simultaneously.
- Treatment usually involves exercising.
- Learning techniques for swallowing.
- Administering medications.
- And.
- In some cases.
- Surgery.
Symptoms may vary depending on the type of dysphagia
Called high dysphagia because of its location, oropharyngeal dysphagia is characterized by difficulty initiating swallowing, symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, nasal regurgitation, any reduction of the reflection of the toes, nasal hot flashes, suffocation and bad mood.
In severe cases, there is a risk of dehydration, malnutrition and aspiration of saliva, secretions and/or food from the lungs.
Esophageal dysphagia, called low dysphagia, occurs in the distal esophagus and is characterized by a feeling of food retained in the esophagus. Dysphagia occurs with both solids and fluid ingestion due to esophageal motility disorders, and may be associated with chest pain. Dysphagia presented by solids could be a sign of mechanical obstruction.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia can occur due to stroke, traumatic brain injury, degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors and cerebral palsy, oral larynx tumors, oral radiation therapy, tracheostomy and tracheostomy.
Common causes of esophageal dysphagia are mucous membrane diseases, with esophageal oppression in light due to inflammation, fibrosis or neoplasm, mediatinal disorders, esophageal obstruction and neuromuscular diseases that affect the esophageal smooth muscle and its inervation, interrismal and interoperation and esophageal relationship. Sphincter.
Treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia is limited due to neuromuscular and neurological disorders that can hardly be corrected with clinical or surgical treatment.
In general, changes are made to the texture of the diet, consuming softer foods and thicker liquids that facilitate swallowing, in addition if therapeutic techniques can be adopted to facilitate swallowing, such as strengthening exercises and thermal and taste stimulation. In some cases, feeding through a nasogastric tube may be necessary. Learn more about this type of sensor power.
Treatment of esophageal dysphagia depends on the cause, but you may take medicines that inhibit acid production in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease; glucocorticoids, in cases of eosinophil esophagitis; muscle relaxants, in people who have esophageal spasms.
In addition, treatment may be done with medical procedures that favor the expansion of the esophagus or through surgery, in case of blockage by tumors or the presence of diverticulums, for example.