Swallowing food and drinks is so effortless for most people that we only think about it once we have difficulty doing it. Swallowing difficulty is also known as dysphagia, and it can cause issues such as choking as the person tries to swallow foods and drinks. About 4-5% of people will experience dysphagia in their lives. There are many causes of this condition, some temporary and others permanent.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Acid Reflux
Our stomachs have valves that stop food from flowing back up the esophagus once it enters the stomach. However, the mechanisms that stop this from happening can fail, allowing the contents to flow back up. When this happens, the sufferer might experience burping, stomach pain, and heartburn.
While acid reflux happens occasionally, GERD can occur repeatedly. Regardless, both of these conditions make it difficult to swallow for fear of the food coming back up and causing the pain and burning sensation associated with that happening.
Achalasia
Achalasia is a serious medical condition that affects the esophagus and causes it not to relax as it should when swallowing food. When this happens, the lower esophageal sphincter remains closed, and this can cause difficulty swallowing. In some cases, it can cause serious choking and even conditions like pneumonia if the food particles end up in the lungs.
Epiglottitis
Epiglottitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the epiglottis tissue. It is a life-threatening condition that requires urgent medical intervention.
Neurological Disorders and Damage
Many neurological disorders affect how the nerves and the muscles work. Conditions like muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions can make swallowing difficult.
A common intervention for those with neurological conditions causing dysphagia is thickening their food and drinks. Using thickeners makes the food or drink easier to swallow while also ensuring it does not end up in the lungs. You can learn how to use Simply Thick to make eating and drinking much easier for a patient or loved one with a neurological condition causing dysphagia.
A patient or loved one with neurological damage might also have difficulty swallowing. Such damage can come from a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or stroke.
Thyroid Issues and Conditions
Several thyroid issues and conditions can also cause dysphagia. One of these is hypothyroidism, caused by an underactive thyroid. An underactive thyroid gland can swell, putting a lot of pressure on the epiglottis and surrounding tissue thus making it difficult to swallow. The swelling can also make a person feel like they have food stuck in their throat, making them eat slower or not as much as they should as they wait for the food to go down.
Another thyroid condition causing dysphagia is a thyroid nodule. This is a lump that grows in the thyroid gland. It is sometimes filled with fluid, but it is typically a solid mass. Those with thyroid nodules can have one or multiple nodules, which means the effects on swallowing vary from person to person.
Swallowing difficulty or dysphagia is a serious condition that can lead to further issues like weight loss and muscle weakness since the person will not get the nutrients their body needs. It is essential to get it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. In cases where it is untreatable, interventions like using food and drink thickeners can help immensely.
