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OESOPHAGEAL CONDITIONS
Having Dysphagia may also signal a more serious underlying condition, such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). This is when stomach acid backs up into the oesophagus and can damage, spasm or narrow the lower oesophageal tissue.
Other risks associated with Dysphagia include increased risk for lung infections, breathing difficulties, and pneumonia.
The primary symptom of dysphagia is the sensation of being unable to swallow or that food is getting stuck in the throat. Additional signs and symptoms associated with dysphagia include:1
Dysphagia most often occurs in people who are more than 40 years of age and is most common with elderly populations.1 While dysphagia can be attributed to a variety of causes, one of the most common is chronic acid reflux caused by gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).2 GORD is a common digestive disease characterised by chronic acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus.3
Learn more about the process of diagnosing dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and how symptoms are typically treated.
1 Cho S, Choung R, Talley N, et al. Prevalence and risk factors for dysphagia: a USA community study. Neurogastroenterology And Motility: The Official Journal Of The European Gastrointestinal Motility Society [serial online]. February 2015;27(2):212-219
2 Bollschweiler E, Knoppe K, Wolfgarten E, Hölscher AH. Prevalence of dysphagia in patients with gastroesophageal reflux in Germany. Dysphagia. 2008;23(2):172-176. doi:10.1007/s00455-007-9120-5
3 Vaezi M, Zehrai A, Yuksel E, Testing for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease, ASGE Leading Edge, 2012 Vol 2, No 2, 1-13, American Society Gastroenterology Endoscopy, Page 1
