Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing, a common symptom of various motility disorders affecting the esophagus. At SHIFAA PAN African Hospitals, our Gastroenterology Department specializes in diagnosing and managing dysphagia, offering comprehensive care to improve patients’ swallowing function and quality of life.

Symptoms:

Dysphagia symptoms may include sensations of food getting stuck in the throat or chest, choking or coughing while eating or drinking, regurgitation, frequent heartburn, chest pain, unintended weight loss, and recurrent pneumonia due to aspiration. These symptoms can significantly impact nutrition, hydration, and overall well-being.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosing dysphagia involves a thorough clinical evaluation, including medical history review, physical examination, and specialized tests. Diagnostic tests may include swallowing studies such as videofluoroscopy or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), esophageal manometry to assess esophageal muscle function and coordination, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (EGD) to visualize the esophagus and rule out structural abnormalities.

Treatment:

Treatment for dysphagia aims to address underlying causes, improve swallowing function, and prevent complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Therapeutic interventions may include dietary modifications (e.g., altering food texture or consistency), swallowing exercises prescribed by a speech-language pathologist, medications to reduce esophageal inflammation or manage underlying conditions (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux disease), and in some cases, minimally invasive procedures or surgery to correct structural abnormalities or strictures. Dysphagia can lead to complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and social isolation due to difficulty eating in public. Monitoring for complications and regular follow-up evaluations are essential components of long-term management to adjust treatment plans as needed and optimize swallowing function.

Prevention:

Preventive measures for dysphagia may include adopting healthy eating habits, avoiding eating too quickly, practicing proper chewing and swallowing techniques, staying hydrated, and managing underlying conditions that contribute to swallowing difficulties.

Multidisciplinary Care:

Managing dysphagia often requires a multidisciplinary approach involving gastroenterologists, speech-language pathologists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals. Collaborative care focuses on individualized treatment plans, swallowing rehabilitation, dietary counseling, and patient education to optimize outcomes and quality of life.

 

What causes dysphagia?

Dysphagia can result from various causes, including neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, Parkinson’s disease), structural abnormalities (e.g., strictures, tumors), esophageal motility disorders (e.g., achalasia), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and certain medications.

 

How is dysphagia diagnosed?

Diagnosing dysphagia involves a thorough clinical evaluation, including medical history review, physical examination, and specialized tests such as swallowing studies, esophageal manometry, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

 

What are the treatment options for dysphagia?

Treatment for dysphagia may include dietary modifications, swallowing exercises prescribed by a speech-language pathologist, medications to manage underlying conditions, and minimally invasive procedures or surgery to correct structural abnormalities or strictures. Treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s specific needs and underlying causes.

 

Can dysphagia be prevented?

While some causes of dysphagia may not be preventable, adopting healthy eating habits, practicing proper chewing and swallowing techniques, staying hydrated, and managing underlying conditions can help reduce the risk of swallowing difficulties.