Question 1

when someone says "dysphagia diet" are they referring to full clear liquids and pureed?

Accepted Answer

Generic: It appears that a formal dysphagia diet was made. It is usually followed by a swallow evaluation, either clinical at the bedside or functional in the form of a modified Barium swallow. Based on above specific recommendations are made with regard to food, solid/liquid consistency.

Question 2

possible explanation: lump in upper right side of neck, clicks when pushed, not painful. occasional difficulty swallowing. weight gain w healthy diet?

Accepted Answer

See ENT doc: A neck mass should be evaluated by ENT doc to rule out tumor.

Question 3

what is dysphagia?

Accepted Answer

Problems swallowing: Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing.  This can be to foods, liquids, or both and can be from blockage, tight esophagus, or actual inability to swallow due to a nerve problem.  Not to be confused with odynophagia - pain with swallowing.

Question 4

how common is dysphagia?

Accepted Answer

Becoming common: Dysphagia is "difficult to swallow" reasons can be anatomic or related to enlarged thyroid but these days is commonly associated with reflux. Reflux is more common with heavy intake of caffeine, alcohol, acid or tomato based foods.

Question 5

what could cause dysphagia?

Accepted Answer

Many causes: The answer is there are many causes. This symptom needs to checked out by a doctor to determine the cause in each case.

Question 6

how is dysphagia diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Several ways: Dysphagia is a symptom. It can be the result of many things. Usually an ENT should evaluate you and perform nasal endoscopy in the clinic (very simple exam). They will likely order a modified barium swallow (eating food of different consistencies) - this is usually done in conjunction with a speech/language pathologist. You may also need an evaluation by a GI doctor and at times a neurologist.

Question 7

how can you treat dysphagia?

Accepted Answer

Many answers: Dysphagia is a very broad term for difficulty in swallowing.  Various things can cause this: infection, inflammation, mass, excess mucus, nerve paralysis.  After your primary care doctor takes a detailed history and performs a complete physical, he/she can direct you to the next steps.  This may include specific x-rays and endoscopies by an ear, nose, & throat or GI doctor.

Question 8

what medications would you recommend for dysphagia?

Accepted Answer

Dysphagia: Is a symptom and there are many possible causes for it. Diagnosing first the condition causing dysphagia will help establish the appropriate treatment. Workup may include invasive tests such as an upper endoscopy and/or imaging following barium swallow.

Question 9

what is a good way to investigate if someone has dysphagia?

Accepted Answer

Needs work-up: From my standpoint, as an otolaryngologist, the work-up includes a detailed history, exam, fiberoptic laryngoscopy(office endoscopic exam of throat), and  a modified barium swallow which is performed by a swallowing therapist and a radiologist to assess your ability to swallow. In some cases, a gastroenterologist or neurologist is needed to help in consultation with this problem.

Question 10

are there racial disparities in regards to dysphagia diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

More of a symptom: Dysphagia is more of a symptom than a diagnosis. Specifically, dysphagia is difficulty with swallowing, which can be associated with an extremely large number of medical diagnoses. Many diseases are more common in some racial groups than others because these diseases, like race, is linked to genetics. This is not a disparity but genetic distribution.

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Doctor answers about:

Diet for residual dysphagia

A member asked:

When someone says "dysphagia diet" are they referring to full clear liquids and pureed?

A member asked:

Possible explanation: lump in upper right side of neck, clicks when pushed, not painful. occasional difficulty swallowing. weight gain w healthy diet?

A member asked:

What is dysphagia?

A member asked:

How common is dysphagia?

A member asked:

What could cause dysphagia?

A member asked:

How is dysphagia diagnosed?

A member asked:

How can you treat dysphagia?

A member asked:

What medications would you recommend for dysphagia?

A member asked:

What is a good way to investigate if someone has dysphagia?

A member asked:

Are there racial disparities in regards to dysphagia diagnosis?

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