Do I Have Dysphagia?

Do you need an extra effort or time to chew or swallow food?

Do you have pain while swallowing (odynophagia)?

Do you have a feeling that food is stuck in your throat or chest or behind your breastbone (sternum)?

Do you have food or liquid remaining in your mouth after swallowing?

Do you cough or choke when swallowing (coughing during or right after eating or drinking)?

Do you have persistent drooling of saliva?

Do you have a “gurgly”, wet sounding voice when eating or drinking?

Do you have difficulty coordinating breathing and swallowing?

Do you regurgitate food (bringing food back up into your mouth after swallowing)?

Do you have frequent heartburn?

Do you have unintentional weight loss?

Do you have to cut food into smaller pieces or avoiding certain foods because of trouble swallowing?

Are you unable to swallow?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have dysphagia. Dysphagia is a medical term that describes difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia refers to a condition in which a person has difficulty passing food or fluid from the mouth to the stomach. Anyone can occasionally experience dysphagia, for example when they eat fast and do not chew food properly. However, persistent dysphagia can be associated with a serious medical problem and should not be ignored. Dysphagia is more common in older adults, but it can also occur as a symptom of various diseases in all age groups.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have dysphagia. Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that may be associated with various medical conditions. Swallowing is a complex process that involves numerous muscles and nerves. There are two types of dysphagia: oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia. Oropharyngeal dysphagia refers to a problem with chewing food or passing food from the mouth to the esophagus, while esophageal dysphagia is the result of irritation or blockage in the esophagus. Swallowing problems can range from mild to severe. A diagnosis is based on a physical examination and various tests to determine the cause of dysphagia.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have dysphagia. Dysphagia is a condition characterized by swallowing difficulties. Some people have difficulty swallowing certain food, while others cannot swallow anything at all. Dysphagia is usually caused by another medical problem. The cause of dysphagia can be a stroke, head injury, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pharyngeal pouches (Zenker diverticulum) or mouth and esophageal cancer. In most cases, dysphagia can be treated successfully. The treatment depends on the type and the cause of dysphagia. Dysphagia is often treated by a group of specialists that includes a speech and language therapist, a surgeon and a dietitian.