Dysphagia – Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

Dysphagia basically means difficulty in swallowing. It can either be oropharyngeal dysphagia when it is related to the throat or it can be oesophageal when it is related to the stomach tube

Signs and symptoms

Some signs and symptoms of oropharyngeal dysphagia include difficulty controlling food in the mouth, inability to control food or saliva in the mouth, difficulty initiating a swallow, coughing, choking, frequent pneumonia, unexplained weight loss, gurgly or wet voice after swallowing, nasal regurgitation, and dysphagia. The most common symptom of esophageal dysphagia is the inability to swallow solid food, which the patient will describe as ‘becoming stuck’ or ‘held up’ before it either passes into the stomach or is regurgitated. Pain on swallowing may be associated with cancer.

Investigations for Dysphagia

Some of the investigations for Dysphagia may be

Treatment of Dysphagia

A team of Laser Gastroenterology Clinic specialists experienced in treating dysphagia will develop a treatment plan based on the cause of your swallowing problem. Dysphagia caused by GERD is usually treated with medications. Sometimes stenting techniques and other times stretching of the oesophagus, injection of Botulium toxin into the oesophagus may help.

Laser Surgery for Dysphagia

At chennai laser gastro clinic, the laser beam is used to treat blocks and vaporize small tumors and polyps that may be causing the problem.

Laser Heller myotomy

Is used to cut the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus (sphincter) when it fails to open and release food into the stomach in people who have a condition called achalasia. Surgeons at laser Gastroenterology Clinic are able to perform this with minimally invasive surgery, reducing recovery time.

Laser Nissen Fundoplication

The ho yag laser at chennai laser gastro clinic is used to release adhesions without blood loss on either crura of the diaphragm and the procedure is done with a gastric wrap facilitated by endosuturing.