Abnormal throat, especially dysphagia, may be a major challenge facing many people in their lives.According to the survey, the incidence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in the general population is estimated to be between 2% and 16%.The occurrence of this condition is usually closely related to the health and function of the oral, esophagus and throat.Patients may experience food stuck in the throat, or symptoms such as coughing, suffocation, weight loss and repeated chest infections.Therefore, it becomes particularly important to understand these symptoms and their possible background causes.
The symptoms of dysphagia may be diverse, including difficulty in controlling food in the mouth and coughing and choking during swallowing.
Common symptoms of dysphagia include: difficulty in controlling food in the mouth, difficulty in starting swallowing, coughing and suffocation after swallowing, unexplained weight loss or frequent pneumonia.These symptoms can bother patients and seriously affect their quality of life.
If not processed in time, swallowing disorders can lead to a series of complications such as aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition and dehydration.These conditions may further worsen the patient's health and make treatment more complicated.
During the clinical diagnosis process, doctors will pay attention to the patient's medical history and symptoms.For example, patients may be asked whether they cough or suffocate while eating, whether food will flow back from their nose after swallowing, etc.Usually, patients undergo a test called the Modified Barium swallow (MBS), an effective way to observe the swallowing process through photography and study abnormalities.
This test uses different concentrations of liquids and food to evaluate the function during swallowing, helping doctors understand where problems arise.
The throat abnormality is not just caused by local problems, it can be a manifestation of many systemic diseases.For example, stroke can lead to pharyngeal dysfunction, while Parkinson's disease can cause a variety of abnormal swallowing.The pathogenesis of these diseases directly affects the function of swallowing and complicates the symptoms.Therefore, proper differential diagnosis is crucial to finding the right treatment regimen.
For patients with dysphagia, treatment options can be varied, from dietary adjustments to medication, and even surgery.The use of food thickeners and changing the texture of food and the consistency of liquids are all important measures.In addition, patients can improve their functions through some swallowing training techniques, such as: coughing quickly after making a sound in the throat.These measures are designed to improve physiological movements during swallowing and reduce the risk of suffocation.
Spoke therapy and dietary therapy play an indispensable role in improving dysphagia. In addition to helping patients adapt to new dietary methods, they can also improve their quality of life.
When understanding the reasons behind the throat abnormality, we can see that whether it is due to physiological, pathological or environmental factors, it is worth our in-depth investigation.With the advancement of science, more and more tests and treatment methods have emerged one after another, helping patients improve their symptoms.If you or your loved one are facing these troubles, should you seek professional advice and help?