What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a type of swallowing disorder that makes it hard for you to eat, drink or swallow saliva. Some people with dysphagia can’t swallow at all.
Occasional swallowing problems affect everyone. You may have a hard time swallowing food if you don’t chew it well enough or feel like something “went down the wrong way” if you eat or drink too quickly. Dysphagia, however, causes regular, ongoing swallowing difficulties that, untreated, can lead to malnutrition (not getting the nutrients your body needs), dehydration, weight loss and other concerns.
Dysphagia can develop as you get older and the muscles that help you swallow become weak. But it’s not a condition on its own. Dysphagia can be a symptom of many conditions that affect your nerves, muscles or esophagus. Your doctor can help you find what’s causing your dysphagia and treat the cause or offer ways to improve your ability to swallow.
Types of dysphagia
Doctors might categorize dysphagia based on how it affects your ability to swallow.
Swallowing happens in four phases. First, chewing or gathering food or drinks in your mouth gets them ready for you to swallow (oral preparation phase). Second, your tongue moves foods and drinks toward your throat (oral phase). Third, food moves from your throat into your esophagus (pharyngeal phase). Finally, food travels down your esophagus into your stomach (esophageal stage).
Dysphagia can cause problems at each stage.
- Oropharyngeal dysphagia: Foods and liquids don’t travel from your throat into your esophagus as they should.
- Esophageal dysphagia: Swallowing difficulty occurs because of problems with the structure of your esophagus or its ability to move foods and drinks to your stomach.
Dysphagia symptoms
Dysphagia makes swallowing difficult, but what “difficult” looks like can vary. Some people may have problems swallowing only solids or liquids, while others may have difficulties swallowing both. Some symptoms affect the act of swallowing, and others show up a few seconds later.
Symptoms of dysphagia can include:
- Aspirating (inhaling) food
- Choking on foods or drinks or gagging when trying to swallow
- Coughing up food or blood
- Difficulty breathing while eating
- Drooling
- Feeling like something you’re trying to swallow is stuck in your throat or chest
- Foods and drinks coming out through the nose
- Having foods, drinks or stomach acids come back up into your throat (regurgitation)
- Heartburn that occurs frequently
- Hoarseness or other changes to your voice, such as gurgling
- Pain when you’re trying to swallow
- Taking longer than usual or using more effort to chew or swallow
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you or someone you’re caring for has the symptoms of dysphagia listed above. Symptoms, such as drooling, choking, pain or problems swallowing, usually need attention as soon as you can see your doctor. Dysphagia can lead to aspiration pneumonia.
If someone is choking and cannot breathe, call 911.
Dysphagia causes
Many different conditions can cause dysphagia. These conditions may affect the brain, nervous system and muscles; how well the esophagus works (esophageal motility); or the esophagus itself. Oropharyngeal dysphagia can be caused by neurological or structural problems, and esophageal dysphagia can be caused by motility disorders or structural issues.
Neurological and neuromuscular conditions
Neurological and neuromuscular conditions may interfere with how the brain, nerves and muscles work together to help you swallow. A common sign that a neuromuscular issue might be causing dysphagia is if food comes out of the nose or mouth.
Many of these conditions can cause dysphagia, including:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Brain tumors and other nervous system tumors
- Cerebral palsy
- Dementia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Myasthenia gravis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
Motility disorders
Motility disorders affect how food moves through the esophagus and frequently cause problems swallowing liquids and solids. Typically, muscles at the top and bottom of the esophagus allow food to enter and exit. Various conditions can prevent them from working together. Problems with motility may be related to:
- Achalasia
- Autoimmune conditions, such as Sjögren syndrome and systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
- Esophageal spasms (involuntary muscle contractions)
Anatomical or structural problems
Problems with the esophagus itself can prevent contents from getting from your throat to your stomach. Sometimes, the problem is inside the esophagus, creating a blockage. Other times, the problem is outside the esophagus, compressing the tube. Blockages often cause problems with swallowing solids first, then liquids.
Anatomical or structural problems that can cause dysphagia include:
- Aortic aneurysm
- Enlarged thyroid gland
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (inflammation that can narrow the esophagus)
- Esophageal cancer
- Esophageal webs (thin membranes that block the upper esophagus)
- Goiters
- Scar tissue caused by acid reflux
- Schatzki ring (narrowing of the lower esophagus)
- Tumors in the head, neck or chest
- Zenker’s diverticulum (a bulge or pouch in the back of the throat or upper esophagus)
Medications
Some medications can cause dysphagia as a side effect. They may cause dry mouth (which makes it difficult to swallow), affect the muscles in your face, tongue and esophagus, impair esophageal motility or damage the esophagus.
Types of medications that can cause dysphagia include:
- Antacids
- Antihistamines and decongestants
- Antiseizure medications
- Heart medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain
- Iron supplements
- Mental health medications, including those for depression and anxiety
- Muscle relaxants
- Narcotic pain medications
- Over-the-counter pain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen
Dysphagia risk factors
Having a condition or taking a medication associated with dysphagia could increase your risk of developing it. Still, having one of those conditions does not mean you will develop dysphagia.
The other primary risk factor for dysphagia is age. It generally affects people aged 50 and older. Although dysphagia is not a natural part of aging, it occurs with many conditions that commonly occur as people get older. The esophagus also experiences age-related wear and tear, and swallowing muscles may get weak with age, increasing the chances of developing dysphagia.
Complications
Dysphagia can be isolating. You may not want to eat in social settings if you have trouble swallowing or symptoms that might feel embarrassing. You may also enjoy meals less than you used to.
Physically, dysphagia can cause long-term and potentially serious complications, including:
- Aspiration: When you inhale food into your lungs, harmful bacteria can enter your airways and cause pneumonia. Long-term aspiration can lead to chronic lung disease.
- Choking: Choking on food that you cannot swallow can be fatal.
- Dehydration, malnutrition and weight loss: Dysphagia can prevent your body from getting the liquid and nutrients you need. Over time, you can lose too much weight.
How is dysphagia diagnosed?
Dysphagia is often a symptom of another condition, so when you see your doctor, they will want to find out what could be causing your swallowing difficulties. They will start with a medical exam and then order tests to learn the underlying cause.
Medical history and exam
Your doctor will review your medical history and ask you questions about your swallowing difficulties. They’ll want to know whether you have trouble swallowing solids, liquids or both and whether other symptoms occur when you’re eating, such as coughing, gagging, drooling or food coming out of your mouth or nose.
Your doctor will also perform a physical exam. They might look inside your mouth and throat, feel your neck to check for masses or an enlarged thyroid gland and check for signs that you might be malnourished.
Based on other symptoms you may have, your doctor might do a neurological exam. A neurological exam includes various tests, but your doctor may check your balance and muscle strength, how you walk and whether you have tremors. The neurological exam can help them determine if a neurological or neuromuscular problem could be causing your dysphagia.
Imaging and tests
Your doctor will likely order imaging tests to better understand your swallowing difficulties. These tests can help them determine which type of dysphagia you have and what could be causing it.
Tests your doctor might order include:
- Bedside swallow screen: This may be the first test you have. Your doctor watches as you move parts of your mouth and as you eat various foods and drink water and other liquids.
- Esophageal manometry: This test uses a tool inserted through your nose and down your throat that measures pressure and movement inside your esophagus. It helps doctors diagnose motility disorders.
- Esophagogram (barium swallow): During this test, you drink a liquid containing barium and have X-ray images taken of your digestive tract. The barium drink allows doctors to see problems in your mouth, throat or esophagus that might cause trouble swallowing.
- Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES): This test also uses an endoscope. Your doctor inserts it through your nose and down your throat and has you eat or drink so they can see how well food moves as you swallow.
- Impedance testing: This test is similar to manometry and is sometimes done at the same time. Your doctor may combine it with a pH test that measures acid levels in your esophagus, which might be a sign of acid reflux.
- Laryngoscopy: Doctors use a special lighted tool with a camera (laryngoscope) to examine your throat and larynx (voice box). You might need this test if your doctor suspects cancer.
- Upper endoscopy (EGD procedure): Your doctor inserts a lighted, flexible tube outfitted with a camera (endoscope) down your throat to check for problems in your esophagus, stomach and upper part of your small intestine.
- Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS): This test is similar to a barium swallow screen, but it uses fluoroscopy, which shows barium moving through your body in real time. It helps your doctor see how well your digestive system works.
Biopsy
Your doctor may want a biopsy (sample of tissue) taken during a laryngoscopy or endoscopy. The sample is sent to a lab, where a pathologist examines it to see if it has cancerous cells or signs of another condition, such as eosinophilic esophagitis.
Dysphagia treatment
To treat your dysphagia, your doctor will focus on the underlying cause. There are many medications, therapies and procedures available to treat or manage conditions that cause dysphagia. You may need to work with one or more specialists, such as a gastroenterologist, neurologist, otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor), oncologist or surgeon, to find the right treatment for you.
Lifestyle changes and working with a speech-language pathologist (a specially trained therapist with expertise in swallowing disorders) may help you manage swallowing difficulties while receiving treatment for a related condition. Dysphagia therapy can also help people with dementia, cerebral palsy and similar conditions avoid complications.
When medical treatments or therapy no longer work, a feeding tube may be necessary.
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Lifestyle changes
You might find that changing how, when and what you eat helps improve your ability to swallow. Your doctor might recommend:
- Adding thickening agents to make foods and drinks easier to swallow
- Eating slowly and without distractions
- Eating soft, finely chopped or pureed foods
- Sipping drinks and taking small bites
- Sitting up straight during meals
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Dysphagia therapy
Speech-language pathologists work with people who have dysphagia using exercises and other therapies that can make swallowing easier, such as:
- Biofeedback: Biofeedback uses results from diagnostic tests to help you make changes to how you eat and swallow.
- Changes to what and how you eat: A therapist can help you find food textures, tastes and temperatures that are easier to swallow. They can also teach you posture changes and find equipment that may make eating easier.
- Oral devices: Prosthetics and appliances you put in your mouth may help people who have damage in their mouth or throat.
- Swallowing exercises and maneuvers: Therapists can teach you different ways to swallow food that may improve your ability to eat and drink.
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Feeding tube
When medical treatments and therapy don’t help with difficulties swallowing, a feeding tube may be necessary to make sure you get all the nutrients and fluids you need. Feeding tubes can be used in combination with dysphagia therapy. Some are designed for short-term use, while others may be needed long term.
Find care close to home if you have difficulty swallowing
At Baylor Scott & White, we offer several locations for the treatment of diseases of the digestive system, including dysphagia, at gastroenterology centers across North and Central Texas. Our experienced team is ready to provide personalized care to help improve your quality of life. Whether you're seeking diagnostic testing, treatment options or ongoing support, we are here to help you.
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital - Sherman
3601 N Calais St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Gastroenterology - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd Ste 104, Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - McKinney
5220 W University Dr POB II, Ste 250, McKinney, TX, 75071
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - McKinney
5220 W University Dr Ste 250, McKinney, TX, 75071
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - McKinney
5252 W University Dr Highway 380 at Lake Forest Drive, McKinney, TX, 75071
Baylor Scott & White Surgicare - Rockwall
825 W Yellowjacket Ln , Rockwall, TX, 75087
- Monday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Gastroenterology - Lake Pointe
6705 Heritage Pkwy Ste 203, Rockwall, TX, 75087
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Lake Pointe
6800 Scenic Dr , Rowlett, TX, 75088
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases - Prosper
111 S Preston Rd Ste 10, Prosper, TX, 75078
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Frisco at PGA Parkway
7600 Better Way , Frisco, TX, 75033
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases - Centennial
4461 Coit Rd Pav 2, Ste 401, Frisco, TX, 75035
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Surgicare - Centennial
4401 Coit Rd Ste 100, Frisco, TX, 75035
- Monday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Centennial
12505 Lebanon Rd , Frisco, TX, 75035
Texas Endoscopy - Independence Medical Village
8080 Independence Pkwy Ste 160, Plano, TX, 75025
- Monday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - North Garland
7217 Telecom Pkwy Ste 100, Garland, TX, 75044
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Garland
7217 Telecom Pkwy Ste 300, Garland, TX, 75044
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Surgicare - North Garland
7150 N President George Bush Hwy Ste 101, Garland, TX, 75044
- Monday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group at The Star
3800 Gaylord Pkwy Ste 910, Frisco, TX, 75034
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases at The Star
3800 Gaylord Pkwy Ste 910, Frisco, TX, 75034
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Surgicare - Garland
530 Clara Barton Blvd Ste 100, Garland, TX, 75042
- Monday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Frisco
5601 Warren Pkwy , Frisco, TX, 75034
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Sunnyvale
231 S Collins Rd , Sunnyvale, TX, 75182
Baylor Scott & White Surgicare - Plano
1701 Ohio Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 6:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Plano
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 200, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Ambulatory Endoscopy Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 210, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases and Medical Weight Loss - Plano
4716 Alliance Blvd Pavilion II, Ste 470, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano
4700 Alliance Blvd , Plano, TX, 75093
Texas Endoscopy - Parker Rd.
6405 W Parker Rd Ste 370, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Park Cities
9101 N Central Expy Ste 300C, Dallas, TX, 75231
North Central Surgical Center Hospital
9301 N Central Expy Ste 100, Dallas, TX, 75231
Park Cities Surgery Center
6901 Snider Plz Ste 300, Dallas, TX, 75205
- Monday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Surgicare - Dallas
4020 Junius St , Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health
3500 Gaston Ave , Dallas, TX, 75246
Baylor Scott & White Center for Esophageal Diseases - Sammons Center (Prearranged Appointment)
3410 Worth St Ste 235, Dallas, TX, 75246
Baylor Scott & White Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
3409 Worth St Ste 600, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Dallas
3409 Worth St Ste 600, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Digestive Care
3434 Swiss Ave Ste 200, Dallas, TX, 75204
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Center for Esophageal Diseases
3434 Swiss Ave Ste 200, Dallas, TX, 75204
- Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Tuscan Surgery Center at Las Colinas
701 Tuscan Dr Ste 100, Irving, TX, 75039
- Monday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
Lonestar Endoscopy Center - Flower Mound
1001 Surrey Ln , Flower Mound, TX, 75022
- Monday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Irving
1901 N MacArthur Blvd , Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Grapevine
1650 W College St , Grapevine, TX, 76051
Lonestar Endoscopy Center - Southlake
515 S Nolen Dr , Southlake, TX, 76092
- Monday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
North Texas Surgery Center
7992 W Virginia Dr , Dallas, TX, 75237
- Monday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Trophy Club
2850 E State Highway 114 , Trophy Club, TX, 76262
Lonestar Endoscopy Center - Keller
180 Bear Creek Pkwy , Keller, TX, 76248
- Monday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 5:00 am - 3:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Waxahachie
2400 N Interstate 35E , Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E Ste 310 , Waxahachie, TX, 75165
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Frequently asked questions
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Is dysphagia common?
Dysphagia is a common symptom of many conditions and a side effect of various medications, but doctors don’t know the exact incidence rates.
Research suggests it affects about 16% of adults at some point, and it is more common in older adults, particularly those who have dementia or have had a stroke. -
What is the life expectancy of someone with dysphagia?
The life expectancy of someone with dysphagia varies widely based on the underlying cause and whether it goes away or improves with treatment. In older adults, dysphagia has been associated with higher rates of death within a six-month period than in people without dysphagia.
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Can dysphagia be cured naturally?
Dysphagia can be treated without medications or surgery, but the condition can’t always be cured. Improving your posture and changing what and how you eat can help make swallowing easier. A speech-language pathologist can also teach exercises and positions that improve swallowing ability.
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Can anxiety cause dysphagia?
Anxiety can cause your throat to feel tighter or a sensation that you have something in your throat. This is usually unrelated to dysphagia.
However, anxiety can contribute to esophageal hypervigilance, when you have a heightened awareness of dysphagia symptoms. If you have dysphagia, esophageal hypervigilance can cause you to feel symptoms more intensely.
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Who is prone to dysphagia?
Dysphagia is more common in older adults than other populations, but it can develop in people of any age who have conditions that can cause dysphagia, such as autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis and acid reflux.