Question 1

what is epigastric distress? and its symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Epigastric Distsress: Epigastrium is the middle part of the abdomen between the rib cages. The upper adomen.  Usually translates pain from the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, pancreas or colon or even gallbladder. Is very common to have discomfort there with gastroesophageal reflux, with gastritis or ulcers, or pancreatitis. Associated symptoms could be nausea and vomiting.

Question 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

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.

Question 6

can speech pathology aid in the treatment of dysphagia?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Most speech pathologists are also trained in the evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders.

Question 7

can acid reflux cause esophagus spasm and thus dysphagia?

Accepted Answer

Sure, see GI doctor: Difficulty swallowing ("dysphagia") can be distinguished as a "transfer" problem (difficulty moving food from mouth to top of esophagus), "transit" problem (difficulty moving food down the esophagus), "spasm", gerd (due to sphincter problems), or obstructive (webs, rings, strictures, ulcer, tumor).  Best to see a gastroenterologist (gi doctor) for evaluation and treatment.

Question 8

dysphagia patient, how do i get dried mucus off of uvula?

Accepted Answer

Warm gargles: You can try warm water gargles to start.  Gargle with your head tilted back and spit the warm liquid out with the hopes to loosen up the dried mucus and get it off your uvula.  If you can not get it off, then see the ENT dr. for eval.  Best wishes.

Question 9

what causes dysphagia and subsequent vomiting from the trachea?

Accepted Answer

LERD & Dysphagia: Exposure of the vocal cords to stomach acid & pepsin will result in inflammation of the vocal cords (as is also often seen with acid regurgitation) = lerd. Acute laryngitis may result, but watch out for chronic hoarseness, throat clearing, airway spasms, bronchitis, an asthma-type presentation, & even a higher risk of throat cancer. Dysphagia with gerd requires evaluation--please get checked.

Question 10

is dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) resulting from a tracheostomy permanent?

Accepted Answer

No: Most people with trachs learn to swallow with the new sensation. Inflated cuff or too tight ties will interfere with swallowing.

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Doctor answers about:

Epigastric distress with dysphagia

A member asked:

What is epigastric distress? and its symptoms?

A member asked:

How common is dysphagia?

A member asked:

How can you treat dysphagia?

A member asked:

What medications would you recommend for dysphagia?

A member asked:

Are there racial disparities in regards to dysphagia diagnosis?

A member asked:

Can speech pathology aid in the treatment of dysphagia?

A member asked:

Can acid reflux cause esophagus spasm and thus dysphagia?

A member asked:

Dysphagia patient, how do i get dried mucus off of uvula?

A member asked:

What causes dysphagia and subsequent vomiting from the trachea?

A member asked:

Is dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) resulting from a tracheostomy permanent?

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