Definition
Dysphagia is a problem with swallowing. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a problem that involves the mouth and the pharynx. The pharynx is the part of the throat behind the mouth.
Causes
Oropharyngeal dysphagia may be caused by:
- Stroke
,
Parkinson disease
,
multiple sclerosis
,
or
Huntington disease
- Brain or spinal cord injury
- Tumors in the mouth or throat
-
Infection such as
sore throat
, tonsillitis,
strep throat
, or acute
epiglottitis
- Narrowing or blockage
Risk Factors
Your chances of oropharyngeal dysphasia are higher for:
- Having any of the problems listed above
- Aging
- Premature birth
- Cancer treatment
Symptoms
Common problems:
- Problems starting to swallow to move food or liquid from the mouth to the back of the throat—liquid may be harder to swallow than food
- A feeling that food is stuck in the throat
- Regurgitation
- Drooling, coughing, choking
- Problems getting enough fluids or nutrition
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.
You may have:
- A test to look for problems while you swallow
-
An
upper GI endoscopy
—a scope is used to look at the structures from the back of the throat to the stomach
-
A
barium swallow
- Tests on the muscles of the esophagus (the tube that goes from the back of the throat to the stomach)
Treatment
Treatment will depend on what's causing your problems. You may need to work with a specialist. They can teach you how to improve your swallowing. There are exercises and techniques that you can learn. You may need to change your diet. This may mean eating softer foods.
Prevention
The best way to prevent oropharyngeal dysphagia is to treat what's causing it.
Definition
Dysphagia is a problem with swallowing. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a problem that involves the mouth and the pharynx. The pharynx is the part of the throat behind the mouth.
Causes
Oropharyngeal dysphagia may be caused by:
- Stroke
,
Parkinson disease
,
multiple sclerosis
,
or
Huntington disease
- Brain or spinal cord injury
- Tumors in the mouth or throat
-
Infection such as
sore throat
, tonsillitis,
strep throat
, or acute
epiglottitis
- Narrowing or blockage
Risk Factors
Your chances of oropharyngeal dysphasia are higher for:
- Having any of the problems listed above
- Aging
- Premature birth
- Cancer treatment
Symptoms
Common problems:
- Problems starting to swallow to move food or liquid from the mouth to the back of the throat—liquid may be harder to swallow than food
- A feeling that food is stuck in the throat
- Regurgitation
- Drooling, coughing, choking
- Problems getting enough fluids or nutrition
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.
You may have:
- A test to look for problems while you swallow
-
An
upper GI endoscopy
—a scope is used to look at the structures from the back of the throat to the stomach
-
A
barium swallow
- Tests on the muscles of the esophagus (the tube that goes from the back of the throat to the stomach)
Treatment
Treatment will depend on what's causing your problems. You may need to work with a specialist. They can teach you how to improve your swallowing. There are exercises and techniques that you can learn. You may need to change your diet. This may mean eating softer foods.
Prevention
The best way to prevent oropharyngeal dysphagia is to treat what's causing it.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
Copyright © EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.
a
(Difficulty Swallowing [Mouth and Pharynx])
References
Dysphagia. Cedars-Sinai website. Available at:
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/d/dyphagia.html. Accessed August 13, 2018.
Dysphagia. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T906517/Dysphagia
. Updated March 21, 2017. August 13, 2018.
Dysphagia. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at:
https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/esophageal-and-swallowing-disorders/dysphagia. Updated April 2018. Accessed August 13, 2018.
Swallowing disorders in adults. American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Available at:
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/Swallowing-Disorders-in-Adults. Accessed August 13, 2018.
