How Is Dysphagia Evaluated? A Review By Doctors

Dysphagia image

Expert opinion from Sandeep Kumar Reddy Mallela

MBBS BMB Pediatrics persevering · 2 years of experience · India

Swallowing disorders are common, especially in the elderly, and may cause dehydration, weight loss, aspiration pneumonia and airway obstruction. These disorders may affect the oral preparatory, oral propulsive, pharyngeal and esophageal phases of swallowing. Impaired swallowing or dysphagia may occur because of a wide variety of structural or functional conditions, including stroke, Cancer, neurological disease and gastro-esophageal reflux disease. A complete clinical history and careful physical examination are important in the diagnosis and treatment of swallowing disorders. The evaluation of dysphagia begins with a careful history and clinical examination, which usually points to the underlying cause in upto 80% of cases. The goals of the history are to distinguish oropharyngeal causes from esophageal causes of dysphagia and to distinguish mechanical from motor disorders of the esophagus in those patients with esophageal dysphagia. Evaluation typically begins with a video-fluoroscopic examination in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia and begins with a routine barium swallow or upper GI-endoscopy in patients with esophageal dysphagia. Esophageal manometry may be an adjunct to the evaluation of patients with esophageal dysphagia, particularly to confirm specific motor disorders such as achalasia cardia.

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Expert opinion from Prerna More

MBBS, DGO, DFP. F.IVF · 9 years of experience · India

Gold standard method for evaluation is video fluoroscopy. It is a study of oral and pharyngeal mechanism to evaluate dysphagia. Unexplained weight loss. Recurrent cough with eating or drinking.

Expert opinion from Sarath Kumar Sar

MBBS · 1 years of experience · India

Dysplasia is evaluated By x-ray with a contrast material. By dynamic swallowing study. A Visual examination of your esophagus by endoscopy. By imaging scans and by esophagus muscle test.

Disclaimer: This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors, and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.