If you have problems swallowing, you need to direct your concerns to an ear, nose, and throat specialist, also known as an ENT doctor. After all, swallowing in and of itself is an involved process – one that requires the use of several muscles and nerves, the brain, two muscular valves, and the esophagus. Swallowing makes it possible to eat, so the food can travel to the stomach.
Reasons for Swallowing Difficulties
So, if you have problems swallowing, or dysphagia, you can get the help you need by seeing ENT specialists in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Specialists in this area can track down and diagnose the exact reason for your condition. For example, people may have trouble swallowing if they are suffering from multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. They may also experience swallowing difficulties after a stroke or because their esophagus is narrower than it used to be. This type of narrowing can happen as a result of tumors or acid reflux.
Symptoms to Note
ENT specialists also diagnose swallowing difficulties that correlate with problems with the esophageal sphincter muscle. This condition is known as achalasia. In normal conditions, people usually do not choke while eating. However, some symptoms indicate that a patient has a problem with swallowing. These symptoms include the following:
- The patient frequently chokes when he or she is eating
- Food passage takes more than a few seconds
- The patient feels pain whenever he or she swallows
- The patient experiences recurrent pneumonia
When a patient has recurrent pneumonia, it indicates that food is not going into their esophagus but, rather, into their lungs. Some people choose not to have their swallowing problem checked by ENT specialists because they have made compensations, such as eating food that is simpler to eat or trying to eat more slowly. However, this type of problem should always be checked, as it can result in more serious issues down the road.
If you have a problem with dysphagia, review the information presented on such sites as visit website. You can also find contact information if you wish to set an appointment or make further inquiry.
