Swallowing problems can affect your quality of life and make it hard to get enough nourishment. They can cause you to avoid eating and drinking, which leads to weight loss and dehydration. They can also cause you to cough or choke, which can lead to respiratory problems like pneumonia or bronchitis. If your swallowing problems are severe, you may need to be fed through a tube (nasogastric or PEG tube) or have your food and liquids tubed directly into your stomach.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and do a physical exam. He or she will check your ears, nose, mouth and throat for signs of trouble. Your doctor will also do a test to see how well you can chew and swallow different types and thicknesses of foods and liquids. This test is called a modified barium swallow study (MBSS).
The sleeve of the esophagus is X-rayd to check for obstructions. The doctor will ask you about your past medical history, such as any diseases that could cause swallowing problems.
An MRI or CT scan may be used to help diagnose esophageal dysphagia. These tests will show if something is blocking or compressing your throat or esophagus, such as a tumor or a cyst. It can also show if your esophagus is narrowed or has pouches. These tests can’t find the cause of your esophageal dysphagia, but they can give your doctor clues about the best treatment options for you.
You might need to have surgery to remove the blocked or compressed area. Sometimes this can cure your esophageal dysphagia. Other times, you might need to have another surgery or other treatments. For example, your doctor might prescribe medicines to reduce your saliva flow, which can help you swallow.
Your doctor might also recommend speech and language therapy. This can help you learn new ways of chewing and swallowing. Your doctor might recommend a special diet to find foods and liquids that are easier to swallow. You might need to take medicine to prevent pneumonia, malnutrition or dehydration. You might need to be fed through a tube — either into your nose (nasogastric tube) or into your stomach (PEG tube).
You can help prevent esophageal dysphagia by getting plenty of rest and eating nutritious meals. You should also drink liquids through a straw, instead of from a bottle. Avoid foods and drinks that are sticky or thick. You should also not eat or drink while lying down. If you have any underlying health problems, such as diabetes, heartburn or nerve damage, you should get them treated. You should also see your otolaryngologist if you have problems with your swallowing. He or she can refer you to a specialist. This might be a surgeon or an SLP.
