Düsfaagia

Düsfaagia, more commonly spelled dysphagia, is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It describes a symptom rather than a disease and can involve the transfer of liquids, foods, or saliva from the mouth to the stomach. Dysphagia may affect the oro-pharyngeal phase (into the esophagus) or primarily involve the esophagus itself.

Dysphagia is typically categorized as oropharyngeal or esophageal. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is often caused by neurological or muscular problems that impair the initiation of swallowing, such as stroke, Parkinson disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or other neuromuscular disorders. Esophageal dysphagia results from structural lesions (strictures, rings, webs, tumors) or motility disorders (achalasia, esophageal spasm, scleroderma, gastroesophageal reflux disease with inflammation).

Common symptoms include coughing or choking during meals, nasal or regurgitation of food, difficulty starting a swallow, the sensation that food is sticking in the chest or throat, drooling, unintended weight loss, and sometimes chest pain or heartburn.

Diagnosis typically begins with clinical evaluation and a bedside swallow test, followed by instrumental studies. Tests may include videofluoroscopic swallow study (modified barium swallow), fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), upper endoscopy to assess structural disease, and esophageal manometry to evaluate motility disorders.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve dietary modifications (texture-modified foods, thickened liquids), swallowing therapy with a speech-language pathologist, medical management of reflux or inflammation, endoscopic or surgical interventions for strictures or motility disorders, and nutritional support if needed. Early diagnosis can reduce complications such as aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition.