Difficulty Swallowing in Arizona
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Find a ProviderWhat does difficulty swallowing mean?
When a patient is experiencing difficulty swallowing, they are typically having trouble passing foods and liquids from the mouth to the esophagus. This can make it harder to absorb the adequate nutrition needed to survive. Difficulty swallowing can happen due to a range of different issues including muscle spasms and food allergies. Our providers at Arizona Digestive Health can help identify the cause of the problem so that the correct treatment can be administered. To learn more about the different treatment options available to you for difficulty swallowing, request a consultation with our gastroenterologists in Phoenix, AZ.
What causes difficulty swallowing?
Difficulty swallowing may not have one specific cause. Trouble swallowing can be a symptom of a condition that has gone undiagnosed, a food allergy, or inflammation in your esophagus. These are some of the primary causes for difficulty swallowing:
- GERD
- Neurological disorders
- Hypothyroidism
- Achalasia (when the muscles in the esophagus do not relax at the right time)
- Foreign bodies in the throat or esophagus
- Muscle spasms
- Esophageal rings ( a ring of tissue inside the esophagus that is narrower than the surrounding esophageal tissue)
While anyone of any age can have difficulty swallowing, it is more common in older adults. To learn more about the different causes of difficulty swallowing in Phoenix, AZ, request an appointment with our providers today.
What are the symptoms of difficulty swallowing?
A wide variety of conditions can cause difficulty swallowing, which is why it is important to be evaluated by a professional as soon as possible. The primary symptoms that accompany difficulty swallowing include:
- A sensation of a lump in the throat
- Hoarseness
- Pain in the throat while swallowing
- Trouble breathing
- Inability to swallow
- Persistent heartburn
Reach out to our providers to request an appointment at Arizona Digestive Health if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. If you have also experienced unintentional weight loss or vomiting, see your doctor right away.
What are the treatments for difficulty swallowing?
The treatment for difficulty swallowing depends on the specific cause of the difficulty to begin with. If the difficulty swallowing has arisen because of food allergies, the appropriate step to take would be to avoid your trigger foods which should reduce swelling. If the cause is esophagitis, our providers will determine whether it is an infection (infectious esophagitis), or reflux esophagitis. If the difficulty is happening because of muscle spasms in the throat, medications or surgery to relax the muscles may be recommended. Tell your provider at Arizona Digestive Health all of your symptoms and allow them to help you regain your swallowing ability.
Relief you can feel
If you are looking for an experienced provider to help you manage your difficulty swallowing, contact the experts at Arizona Digestive Health. Your gastroenterologist will assist in diagnosing the cause of your difficulty and will help find a treatment that works well for you. Difficulty swallowing could be part of a larger issue, so if you are experiencing symptoms, then don't delay in requesting an appointment so you can get back to eating and breathing normally again.
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I was very impressed, she did her homework and came in with a plan. I am a difficult case as many Meds and I Don't get along well. But she nailed it. Very happy. Thanks Dr.
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