dysphagia
Difficulty getting food
Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing.
The condition ranges from mild discomfort to complete inability to swallow food, liquids, or saliva.
It can result from neurological disorders, throat injuries, or obstructions: The stroke left him with severe dysphagia.
Medical contexts distinguish it from odynophagia, which is painful swallowing.
Act of swallowing
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
- bolusChewed food mass
- masticationTeeth-based food breakdown
- salivaMouth's digestive secretion
Blocked airway condition
- gaggingReflex throat constriction
- coughingForceful air expulsion reflex
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- regurgitationEjecting swallowed material
drooling · pocketing · discomfort · weight loss · malnutrition · dehydration · hoarseness · gurgling
Sudden brain blood blockage
- Parkinson'sNeurodegenerative motor disorder
- ALSMotor neuron disease
- multiple sclerosisAutoimmune demyelinating neurological disease
- dementiaChronic cognitive impairment
achalasia · GERD · scleroderma · radiation · tumor · neurological · muscular dystrophy · aging
Muscular throat cavity
- larynxSpeech-producing throat organ
- epiglottisWindpipe-covering throat cartilage
- uvulaSoft palate pendant
- tracheaRespiratory airway tube
tongue · soft palate · vocal cords · hyoid bone · oropharynx · hypopharynx · nasopharynx · glottis
Radiological gastrointestinal examination
- manometryMeasuring pressure in fluids
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
- gastroscopyInternal stomach viewing procedure
- laryngoscopyVisual inspection of larynx
Communication disorder specialist
- feeding tubeDevice delivering nutrition internally
- thickenerSubstance adding viscosity
- diet modificationChanging eating patterns
- dilationWidening of an opening
botox · stent · chin tuck · rehabilitation
deglutition
Act of swallowing
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
- bolusChewed food mass
- masticationTeeth-based food breakdown
saliva · motility · propulsion
choking
Blocked airway condition
- gaggingReflex throat constriction
- coughingForceful air expulsion reflex
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
regurgitation · drooling · pocketing · discomfort · weight loss · malnutrition · dehydration · hoarseness · gurgling
stroke
Sudden brain blood blockage
- Parkinson'sNeurodegenerative motor disorder
- ALSMotor neuron disease
- multiple sclerosisAutoimmune demyelinating neurological disease
dementia · achalasia · GERD · scleroderma · radiation · tumor · neurological · muscular dystrophy · aging
pharynx
Muscular throat cavity
- larynxSpeech-producing throat organ
- epiglottisWindpipe-covering throat cartilage
- uvulaSoft palate pendant
trachea · tongue · soft palate · vocal cords · hyoid bone · oropharynx · hypopharynx · nasopharynx · glottis
barium swallow
Radiological gastrointestinal examination
- manometryMeasuring pressure in fluids
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
- gastroscopyInternal stomach viewing procedure
speech therapist
Communication disorder specialist
- feeding tubeDevice delivering nutrition internally
- thickenerSubstance adding viscosity
- diet modificationChanging eating patterns
dilation · botox · stent · chin tuck · rehabilitation
pureed
Blended until smooth