Dysphagia Flashcards
What is Dysphagia?
Difficulty in swallowing
What are some causes of mechanical dysphagia?
Oesophageal or gastric malignancy, benign oesophageal strictures, extrinsic compression, pharyngeal pouch, foreign body, oesophageal web
What are some causes of neuromuscular dysphagia?
Post stroke, achalasia, diffuse oesophageal spasm, myasthenia gravis, myotonic dystrophy
What questions would you ask about dysphagia?
If there difficulty in initiating the swallowing action? D you cough after you swallow? do you have to swallow a few times to get the food to pass your throat?
What is odynophagia?
Pain when swallowing
What symptoms are there along with dysphagia?
regurgitation, feeling of food getting stuck, hoarse voice, weight loss, referred ear or neck pain
What investigations would be done for someone with dysphagia?
Endoscopy and biopsy, routine bloods, manometry and 24 hour ph studies (if motility disorder suspected) if pharyngeal pouch suspected then a barium swallow
What are the NICE guidelines for a 2 week wait for an upper GI endoscopy?
Dysphagia or aged over 55 with weightless and upper abdomen pain, reflux and dyspepsia
What is the treatment for dysphagia?
Treat cause and speech and language therapy
