Dysphagia is the medical term for swallowing difficulty, which causes an inability to swallow foods or liquids easily. People who have a difficult time swallowing may choke on food or liquid when they try to swallow. This condition affects around fifteen million people throughout the US, and around one in twenty-five of us will experience it at some point in our lives. While difficulty swallowing can be temporary and may go away on its own, persistent problems are usually indicative of an underlying medical condition. Some common causes of dysphagia include:
Goiter
A condition that increases the size of the thyroid is known as a goiter. The thyroid is a gland that is situated in your neck, just below the Adam’s apple. This condition may develop in anybody but is more common in women than men. The main symptom is noticeable swelling in the neck, which can range from small to very large.
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is a condition that causes acid reflux. This is characterized by stomach contents moving up from the stomach back into the esophagus. This condition can cause symptoms that include heartburn, frequent burping, and stomach pain. Since the lining of the esophagus is not as resilient to acid as the stomach, it can cause injuries and scarring that might make it difficult to swallow. SimplyThick thickener gel can be used to thicken the consistency of liquids to make drinking easier for people with this condition.
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Esophagitis
Esophagitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the esophagus. It is typically caused by acid reflux, or it can be a side effect of certain medications. It can lead to a range of symptoms including heartburn, dysphagia, or a sore throat. When left untreated it can cause ulcers and scarring or even lead to the esophagus narrowing severely which can be life-threatening.
Thyroid Nodule
A thyroid nodule is a lump that develops in the thyroid gland. It may either be filled with fluid or solid. It is possible for a single nodule or a cluster of nodules to develop in the thyroid. Most are not serious and do not cause many symptoms – in fact, you can have one without even being aware of it. 90% of thyroid nodules are benign. However, if the nodule is large enough, you may experience symptoms including swallowing difficulties, a goiter, breathing difficulties, a hoarse voice, or pain at the base of the neck.
Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer or throat cancer occurs when a malignant tumor forms in the esophagus lining, which can lead to difficulties with swallowing. There are not usually any symptoms during the early stages. However, as the tumor progresses, this can lead to symptoms that involve pain or difficulty when swallowing, frequent choking when eating, food coming back up the esophagus after eating, chest pain, unintentional weight loss, heartburn and indigestion, fatigue, and a chronic cough.
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In many cases, difficulty swallowing is not a huge cause for concern and may go away on its own. However, if it persists, it’s worth speaking to your doctor to determine if it is caused by a more serious underlying health condition.
