Understanding Dysphagia | When Swallowing Becomes a Challenge in Bethany, CT

What Is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It’s not a diagnosis in itself; it’s a symptom that can point to a range of underlying causes, most of which are temporary and non-life-threatening. It can affect any stage of the swallowing process, from the moment food enters the mouth to its journey down to the stomach. Still, if swallowing feels difficult on a regular basis, it’s important to have it properly evaluated.

We normally swallow hundreds of times each day, eating, drinking, and clearing the saliva our bodies naturally produce. That familiar, effortless action is actually a complex four-stage process: food is first chewed and prepared in the mouth, then the tongue pushes it to the back of the throat, it passes through the pharynx into the esophagus, and finally travels down into the stomach. The last two stages happen automatically, without any conscious effort.

Is Dysphagia Common?

For more persistent or clinically significant cases, a 2022 study estimated approximately 15 million U.S. adults (about 6%) reported a swallowing problem, up from around 9.4 million (4%) in 2012. Of those reporting swallowing problems, only about 23% saw a healthcare professional for it, and fewer than 37% received a formal diagnosis.

Symptoms to Watch For

Dysphagia can show up differently from person to person. Common signs include drooling or difficulty controlling saliva, a sensation of food sticking in the throat, coughing or choking while eating or drinking, a persistent feeling of a lump in the throat, unexplained weight loss, recurring lung infections like pneumonia, changes in voice, or coughing up blood.

One serious complication is aspiration, which occurs when food, liquid, or saliva enters the lungs instead of the stomach. This can lead to aspiration pneumonia, which is why early evaluation matters.

What Causes Dysphagia?

A wide range of conditions can contribute to swallowing difficulties, including acid reflux, throat infections, age-related muscle weakness, a foreign object stuck in the throat, scarring or weakness of the esophagus, vocal fold paralysis, medication side effects, tumors of the throat, lung, or esophagus, prolonged illness requiring hospitalization, prior surgery or radiation to the neck or chest, and neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS, Myasthenia Gravis, or stroke.

How Is Dysphagia Diagnosed and Treated?

Diagnosing dysphagia usually begins with a thorough history and physical exam. Depending on the findings, your specialist may recommend a flexible laryngoscopy (FEES), where a small scope passed through the nose allows direct visualization of the throat during swallowing. A barium swallow or modified barium swallow uses X-ray imaging to track how food and liquid move through the swallowing pathway. A trans-nasal esophagoscopy (TNE) extends the exam all the way to the stomach, and manometry measures the pressure generated by the throat and esophageal muscles to assess whether they are working correctly.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Your ENT may work alongside gastroenterologists, neurologists, and speech-language pathologists to build the most effective care plan. Seeking help early is key to avoiding complications like malnutrition, dehydration, and pneumonia.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• Why am I having difficulty swallowing?
• What tests are recommended for my situation?
• Can anxiety cause swallowing difficulty?
• What does swallowing therapy involve?
• Do I need an endoscopy?