Dysphagia

Dysphagia

    * Introduction
    * Signs and symptoms
    * Causes
    * Complications
    * Diagnosis
    * Treatment
Dysphagia refers to difficulty in swallowing (swallowing) and is a frequent problem, especially in the elderly. Approximately 7 to 10% of people aged over 50 years accusing difficulty swallowing, although their number may be much higher because many patients with this problem is not a doctor.

Deglutia is swallowing process by which the food bowl is transported from the mouth through the pharynx and esophagus to the stomach. Normally, swallowing involves a series of voluntary and involuntary contractions and comprises three stages: oral, throat and esophagus. Dysphagia present a serious risk to patient health due to risk of aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, weight loss and it shows the air obstruction. Although the two disorders are often associated, we must distinguish between odynophagia (painful swallowing) and dysphagia.

Disorders that cause dysphagia can affect oral stage, pharyngeal or oesophageal swallowing. Vascular accident (CVA) is the leading cause of neurological dysphagia. About 50-70% of stroke patients shows dysphagia, which is the most important risk factor for the occurrence of pneumonia.

Based on the patient's medical antecendentelor, and physical examination can establish the diagnosis, subsequently confirmed by laboratory explorations: barytic radiological and / or gastro-endoscopy. A detailed history and thorough physical examination are important in diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia.

In oropharyngeal dysphagia, symptoms are caused by poor transfer of food entering the throat into the esophagus. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is more common in the elderly and is often accompanied by other signs and symptoms focused on the correct diagnosis. The main cause of oropharyngeal dysphagia is stroke.

Dysphagia is caused by esophageal motility disorders (achalasia and scleroderma) or mechanical obstructions in the esophagus (carcinoma, stricture and Schatzki ring).