Facing trouble while swallowing could happen from time to time due to sore throat or eating quickly. However, if you frequently face difficulties in swallowing your food, it may indicate certain disorders or health issues.
Medically, the condition is called
dysphagia
and in many cases, swallowing become impossible. The condition is more common in older adults.
What does swallowing issues indicate?
People with progressive neurological disease like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, stroke and head and neck cancer may have trouble swallowing. Head, neck and chest injuries can also affect swallowing. In older adults, it happens due to weakening or loss of muscles as they age which affects the swallowing muscles too.
Symptoms of dysphagia
According to mayoclinic, symptoms of dysphagia include pain while swallowing, not being able to swallow, feeling as if food is stuck in the throat or chest or behind the breastbone, drooling, hoarseness, food coming back up, called regurgitation, frequent heartburn, food or stomach acid backing up into the throat, and coughing or gagging when swallowing among others.
Complications or side effects
Not being able to swallow food properly can cause malnutrition as enough nutrients don’t reach your body. It can also lead to weight loss and dehydration. Many people are not able to have fluids properly.
It can also cause
aspiration pneumonia
as food or liquid may reach airway introducing bacteria into lungs while trying to swallow food which can cause aspiration pneumonia.
This can also lead to choking risk as food or drink may get stuck in the throat. In case of food completely blocking the airway, people can be at risk of death.
Some people may also face trouble due to stress and anxiety while for others improperly fit dentures or a wobbly teeth can create this issue.
Those who face this issue must contact the healthcare experts who may suggest some throat exercises to train the muscles or fix any other underlying issue.
Another way to prevent swallowing issues is to eat slowly and chewing your food well in case where this difficulty is arising due to eating fast.
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I’m Manas Ranjan Sahoo: Founder of “Webtirety Software”. I’m a Full-time Software Professional and an aspiring entrepreneur, dedicated to growing this platform as large as possible. I love to Write Blogs on Software, Mobile applications, Web Technology, eCommerce, SEO, and about My experience with Life.
