What causes difficulty in swallowing?

Causes of dysphagia a condition that affects the nervous system, such as a stroke, head injury, multiple sclerosis or dementia. cancer – such as mouth cancer or oesophageal cancer. gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) – where stomach acid leaks back up into the oesophagus.

Which medical conditions may cause difficulties in swallowing?

Some conditions related to difficulty swallowing include:

  • Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  • Heartburn.
  • Epiglottitis.
  • Goiter.
  • Esophagitis.
  • Esophageal cancer.
  • Herpes esophagitis.
  • Recurrent herpes simplex labialis.

What is the most common cause of swallowing disorders?

Neurological conditions that can cause swallowing difficulties are: stroke (the most common cause of dysphagia); traumatic brain injury; cerebral palsy; Parkinson disease and other degenerative neurological disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), multiple sclerosis.

What nerve causes difficulty in swallowing?

Cranial Nerves Either sensory or motor neural deficits can lead to oropharyngeal dysphagia. Isolated cranial nerve (CN) deficits can include the facial nerve (CN VII), glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), vagus nerve (CN X), and hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).

How do you treat difficulty swallowing?

Try eating smaller, more frequent meals. Cut your food into smaller pieces, chew food thoroughly and eat more slowly. If you have difficulty swallowing liquids, there are products you can buy to thicken liquids. Trying foods with different textures to see if some cause you more trouble.

Which part of the brain is responsible for swallowing?

medulla oblongata
The medulla oblongata controls breathing, blood pressure, heart rhythms and swallowing.

What kind of doctor treats difficulty swallowing?

What kind of doctor do you see for swallowing problems? Depending on the underlying cause of your swallowing problem, you may be referred to see a Gastroenterologist, an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor, or a neurologist.

How do you cure difficulty swallowing?

How do you treat dysphagia at home?

Dysphagia Home Treatment Swallowing Exercises

  1. 1.) Shaker Exercise. Purpose: To strengthen muscles and improve your ability to swallow.
  2. 2.) Hyoid Lift Maneuver. Purpose: Builds swallowing muscle strength and control.
  3. 3.) Effortful Swallow.
  4. 4.) Supraglottic Swallow.
  5. 5.) Super Supraglottic Swallow Maneuver.

What type of doctor treats dysphagia?

Depending on the suspected cause, your health care provider might refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist, a doctor who specializes in treating digestive disorders (gastroenterologist), or a doctor who specializes in diseases of the nervous system (neurologist).