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Oropharyngeal Dysphagia

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DefinitionCausesRisk FactorsSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionrevision

Definition

Dysphagia happens when there are problems with the swallowing process. There are two main types:

  • Oropharyngeal dysphagia—swallowing problems happen in the mouth and the pharynx (the part of the throat behind the mouth)
  • Esophageal dysphagia —swallowing problems happen in the esophagus (the tube that transports food from the throat to the stomach)

This article focuses on oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Mouth and Throat
Dry Mouth and Throat
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

Oropharyngeal dysphagia may be caused by:

Risk Factors

Risk factors include:

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

  • Difficulty starting the swallowing process to move food or liquid from the mouth to the pharynx (Liquid may be harder to swallow than food.)
  • A sensation that food is stuck in the throat
  • Regurgitation
  • Drooling, coughing, choking
  • Weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration (due to problems with eating and drinking)

Diagnosis

The doctor will:

  • Ask about your symptoms.
  • Take your medical history.
  • Do a physical exam.

Tests may include:

  • Swallow test to observe what happens when you swallow
  • Videofluorographic swallowing study (VFSS)—an imaging test that involves swallowing food mixed with barium solution (It allows the doctor to watch the swallowing process on a monitor.)
  • Laryngoscopy —a test to examine the upper part of the throat
  • Barium swallow —an imaging test that involves swallowing a barium solution and having x-rays taken of the esophagus
  • Esophageal manometry—a test to measure the functioning of the esophageal muscles

Treatment

You and your doctor will work together to find a treatment that is right for you. You may need to work with a specialist. The specialist can teach you how to improve your swallowing. There are exercises and techniques that you can learn. Your doctor may also recommend that you make changes to your diet. For example, you may need to eat food and liquid of a certain kind of consistency.

Prevention

You can reduce your risk by getting proper treatment for any related conditions.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: Daus Mahnke, MD
  • Review Date: 10/2011 -
  • Update Date: 11/03/2011 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Copyright © EBSCO Publishing
All rights reserved.

RESOURCES

  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

    http://www.asha.org/

  • Dysphagia Research Society

    http://www.dysphagiaresearch.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

  • Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

    http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/

  • Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologist

    https://www.osla.on.ca/

References

  • Communication facts: special populations: dysphagia—2008 edition. American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Available at: http://www.asha.org/Research/reports/dysphagia/ . Published 2008. Accessed September 26, 2011.

  • Difficulty swallowing. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/difficulty-swallowing/DS00523 . Updated October 10, 2009. Accessed September 26, 2011.

  • Dysphagia. Cedars-Sinai website. Available at: http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Health-Conditions/Dysphagia.aspx . Accessed September 26, 2011.

  • Dysphagia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/ . Updated September 8, 2011. Accessed September 26, 2011.

  • Dysphagia. World Gastroenterology Organization website. Available at: http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/assets/downloads/en/pdf/guidelines/08%5Fdysphagia.pdf . Published 2007. Accessed September 26, 2011.

  • Gaziano J. Evaluation and management of oropharyngeal dysphagia in head and neck cancer. Moffitt Cancer Center website. Available at: http://www.moffitt.org/CCJRoot/v9n5/pdf/400.pdf . Published September/October 2002. Accessed September 26, 2011.

  • Huckabee M. Application of EMG biofeedback in the treatment of oral pharyngeal dysphagia. Biofeedback Foundation of Europe website. Available at: http://www.bfe.org/protocol/pro06eng.htm . Published 1997. Accessed September 26, 2011.

  • Restive D, Marchese-Ragona R, Lauria G, Squatrito S, Gullo D, Vigneri R. Botulinum toxin treatment for oropharyngeal dysphagia associated with diabetic neuropathy. American Diabetes Association website. Available at: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/29/12/2650.short . Published 2006. Accessed September 26, 2011.

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