What is dysphagia?

What is Dysphagia? 


Dysphagia can be defined as the difficulty in swallowing. 

Causes of Dysphagia

Preoesophageal causes

Preoesophageal causes may be due to disturbance in oral or pharyngeal phase of deglutition, which include following: -
  1. Disturbance in mastication
  2. Disturbance in lubrication
  3. Disturbance in mobility of tongue
  4. Defects of palate
  5. Lesion of buccal cavity and floor of mouth
  6. Obstructive lesions of pharynx
  7. Inflammatory conditions
  8. Spasmodic conditions
  9. Paralytic conditions

Oesophageal causes

When their is disturbance in the oesophageal phase of deglutition. Their may be problem in lumen, in the wall or outside the wall of oesophagus. 
  1. Obstruction in lumen due to atresia, foreign body ,strictures or any tumour
  2. Acute or chronic oesophagitis
  3. Motility disorders of oesophagus
  4. Lesions pressing on the oesophagus from outside, for eg. Hiatus hernia, cervical osteophytes, mediastinal lesions etc. 

Investigations


  1. Detailed history and examination
  2. Blood examination
  3. Radiography: Chest X ray, Barium Swallow
  4. Manometric studies
  5. Oesophagoscopy

Management

It depends on the cause of Dysphagia. 
Foreign body removed with the help of oesophagoscope and strictures dilated with bougies. 


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