The medical term for swallowing difficulties is dysphagia. This can be a most uncomfortable condition that understandably, can bring some stress to those who suffer from its effects. Patients often describe the sensation that food is stuck somewhere in the throat. Although we usually take swallowing for granted when all is going well, many people may have experienced swallowing difficulty at one point in their lives. This would not normally be a cause for concern. But persistent difficulty with swallowing may point to something more serious. Swallowing problems could be triggered by a variety of causes, including blockages and nerve and muscle disorders. Because so many nerves and muscles are used during the act of swallowing, it is quite complex. And when problems arise, we become more aware of the actual process of swallowing, when chewing food and attempting to get it down through the oesophagus and into the stomach. For those with a difficulty swallowing, this simple action is less straightforward. Eating slowly and chewing food properly can sometimes ease swallowing difficulty but if a person appears to be choking and is displaying difficulty in swallowing or breathing, then it is possible that their main airway is blocked. Painful swallowing should always be brought to the attention of a doctor, who can undertake a proper physical examination. The doctor may ask the patient if they have trouble swallowing liquids, trouble swallowing food, or have difficulty swallowing tablets. But tablet crushing has both clinic and legal implications so sufferers should always discuss this with a doctor or pharmacist. It may be the case that medicines can be prescribed in a different form for those experiencing difficulty swallowing pills. Pill swallowing can be made easier by breaking larger tablets into two or four, until they become an easier size to slip down the throat, or even by crushing them up and dispersing them in water. In fact, tablets should always be swallowed with water, whether there is difficulty swallowing or not. The form that the treatment of dysphagia takes depends largely on the causes of the swallowing problem. One temporary solution, or in some cases, long-term solution involves the use of a feeding tube. The tube can be inserted into the stomach through the nose or abdomen and removed once feeding normalises. The doctor or hospital consultant can carry out several tests to determine the causes of dysphagia. They may look for signs of obstruction or for tumours in the pharynx. These tumours can be removed surgically or with radiation therapy and chemotherapy and only occur in serious cases. The doctor may also want to know if coughing or choking occurs after eating, whether or not the voice is affected and if the patient has any other symptoms or if they are taking any medication. The answers to these questions will help the doctor to determine why there is a swallowing problem. Along with problems choking or chewing, the other main problems when swallowing include excessive saliva or dribbling and this can sometimes present as a symptom of multiple sclerosis. An estimated 30% - 40% of those suffering from MS experience trouble swallowing. In these cases, difficulties in swallowing are treated by a team of medical staff. The professionals involved may include a radiologist, speech therapist and a dietician, who can give the patient advice on which foods are easier to swallow than others. It is also possible to ease the discomfort of swallowing by adopting a few easy to follow strategies. Good posture helps the condition, as does being relaxed at meal times. Rushed meals and talking while eating are habits that should be avoided. It is sometimes difficult in the busy lives we lead today to make proper time for ourselves and our health. But it is important to make meal times a stress free zone, especially when a person is suffering from swallowing troubles. Drink plenty of water between mouthfuls to soften food and stay in an upright position for at least half an hour after eating to aid the food going through the system to the stomach. Remember too that when swallowing problems are linked to another medical condition requiring oral medication, there are many medicines that can be taken in liquid form, easing the pain and discomfort of swallowing. These treatments can take the stress out of the thought of taking medication for those who find pills difficult to swallow. Medicine in liquid form can sometimes eradicate pain, subsequently providing the patient with a better quality of life.
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