Dysphagia (Difficulty Swallowing)

Swallowing involves chewing material taken into the mouth, moving it into the esophagus and then into the stomach. If material sent into the esophagus cannot reach the stomach, this may indicate a problem with esophageal muscles. Difficulty moving food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach is therefore called dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. It can result from certain brain or rheumatic diseases. However, the most serious cause is cancer in the esophagus or head and neck. Difficulty swallowing due to cancer or its treatment depends on treatment type and method, and tumor size and location.

What Causes Disease- and Treatment-Related Swallowing Difficulties?

Some cancers and treatments can cause difficulty swallowing. Head and neck or esophageal cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical procedures can produce swallowing problems.

• Surgery: Oral surgical procedures reduce control over food and drinks in the mouth, causing difficulty swallowing.
• Radiotherapy & Chemotherapy: Radiotherapy can cause mouth sores, dry mouth and limited mouth movement, making eating and swallowing liquids difficult.
• After treatment, thrush (fungal infection) may develop in the mouth and throat. This is very common. Consult your physician and receive treatment if a fungal infection is found. Maintain oral hygiene to prevent it.

Symptoms of Dysphagia

Possible signs include:

• Pain when swallowing
• Increased saliva in the mouth
• Inability to swallow
• A feeling of a foreign object or lump in the throat
• Cough caused by food particles that do not pass easily during swallowing, along with liquids and saliva, being drawn through the airway into the lungs
• A feeling of food sticking in the throat or chest
• Chest pressure and pain
• Frequent heartburn
• Weight loss and lack of appetite

The following measures can help relieve these complaints.

• Posture Adjustments
• Sit as upright as possible when eating and drinking.
• Never lie down while eating or drinking.
• If you feel discomfort, stand up, stretch your body and walk without overexerting yourself.
• Do not eat within 3 hours of bedtime. Otherwise, food remaining in your esophagus causes pain and discomfort throughout the night.
• If you wear dentures, ensure they fit properly.

Swallowing Adjustments

• Cut food into small pieces.
• Make sure food looks and smells appetizing.
• Enjoying its taste helps you produce more saliva.
• Swallow food with plenty of fluid.
  Do not rush while eating.
• Try to eat in a calm, quiet setting.
• Thicken food if necessary.

Consult Your Doctor

Consult your doctor if the condition affects daily life. Never follow hearsay advice on your own without your doctor's knowledge. Your doctor will perform necessary tests and make any additions and/or changes considered necessary.