Dysphagia is a medical term for difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia can be a painful condition. In some cases, swallowing is impossible.

Understanding the Context

Occasional difficulty swallowing, such as when you eat too fast or don't chew your food well enough, usually isn't cause for concern. But ongoing dysphagia can be a serious medical condition that needs treatment. James East, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, explains why people can have difficulty swallowing and how to address the issue. The medical term for trouble swallowing is dysphagia.

Key Insights

Rare experiences with it are usually caused by eating or drinking too quickly or failing to chew food well enough, Dr. East says. McKnight's Long-Term Care News: Swallowing difficulty significantly increases frailty risk in older adults, study finds ANSWER: It’s likely your mother’s problem with swallowing can be better understood and potentially helped, but it will require a medical evaluation. Having difficulty swallowing is a common concern that has several possible explanations. A thorough assessment of your mother’s condition can uncover the cause and guide treatment.

Final Thoughts

Swallowing difficulty serves as a significant predictor of frailty progression in older adults, according to new research following nearly 800 community-dwelling Japanese seniors over two years. The ... There are many potential reasons for difficulty swallowing. These include acid reflux that leads to irritation of the food pipe (esophagus), different kinds of tumors or scarring of the food pipe, and ... Severe dysphagia If difficulty swallowing prevents you from eating and drinking enough and treatment doesn't allow you to swallow safely, a feeding tube may be recommended. A feeding tube provides nutrients without the need to swallow.

Surgery Surgery might be needed to relieve swallowing problems caused by throat narrowing or blockages. The medical term for an upper endoscopy is esophagogastroduodenoscopy. You may have an upper endoscopy done in your health care provider's office, an outpatient surgery center or a hospital.