Conditions

Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)

What is Dysphagia?

The act of swallowing is governed by the functioning of many nerves and muscles that help food move from the mouth, down the oesophagus and into the stomach for digestion. The difficulty, or inability to swallow food or liquid is also called dysphagia. Dysphagia feels like food or liquid is stuck in some part of your throat or gullet while swallowing.

What causes Dysphagia?

There are many causes of difficulty swallowing including:

  • Stress and anxiety which can often lead to tightness in the throat

  • Neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

  • Oesophageal diseases such as eosinophilic oesophagitis (asthma of the oesophagus) cancer, achalasia (muscle dysfunction), scarring, chest tumour and scleroderma (immune system disorder that attacks the oesophagus)

Accompanying symptoms

Other symptoms of swallowing difficulty may include:

Choking

Reflux

Pressure/Heaviness in Neck or Chest

Coughing

Chest Pain

Regurgitation

Nausea

Sour Taste in Mouth

Diagnosing Dysphagia:

Dysphagia is diagnosed and measured for severity with tests such as:

〇 Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy (Gastroscopy)

〇 X-Rays (Chest & Neck)

〇 Oesophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring

〇 Barium swallow

〇 Blood tests

Our team at Melbourne Gastro Oesophageal Surgery can perform these tests with a valid referral. Please click on the relevant test for more information or call our clinic on (03) 9416 4418.

Treatment Options:

Treatment involves identifying and treating the underlying condition. Options may include:

〇 Dietary modification

〇 Medications to treat underlying condition such as heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eosinophilic oesohagitis and infections

〇 Dilation of the oesophagus to expand any narrowed area

〇 An endoscopy or surgery may be performed to remove obstructions in the oesophagus (tumour or achalasia)

〇 Other surgical options where appropriate

Our team at Melbourne Gastro Oesophageal Surgery can support you with lifestyle changes, medication management and surgical options. Please call (03) 9416 4418. Surgical options will require a valid referral to our surgeons.