Dysphagia

What are the symptoms?
  • Solid food gets stuck in the throat
  • Regurgitation of food
  • Choking with liquids
  • Weight loss
  • Reducing variety of foods
What’s going on behind the scenes?
Swallowing liquids and solids is a complex coordination of nerves and muscles in the throat that can easily be taken for granted until a problem arises. Swallowing problems are caused by issues of the mouth, tongue, esophagus, stomach, or neurologic diseases like myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis. A tightening of the muscle at the esophageal opening in the diaphragm can cause problems with swallowing. Sometimes this causes a pouch to form at the esophageal opening that sequesters food and drink. If the problem causing dysphagia lies beyond the throat in the esophagus itself, then a gastroenterologist evaluation is required.
How Tucson ENT can help
We can order a swallow study to help differentiate some of these problems. As ENT physicians, we focus on the tongue and upper esophageal opening, looking for strictures or distended pouches. This area can be relaxed with an incision, dilation or botox injection in surgery. These treatments are aimed at patients who have problems swallowing solid foods or have regurgitation of foods.
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Dysphagia

East Office

(520) 296-8500

2121 N. Craycroft Rd. Building 5
Tucson, Arizona 85704

Hours

8AM - 12:30PM
1:30PM - 5:00PM
Mon - Fri

East Office Appointment


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Northwest Office

(520) 575-1272

1358 W. Orange Grove Rd.
Tucson, Arizona 85704

Hours

8AM - 12:30PM
1:30PM - 5:00PM
Mon - Fri

Northwest Office Appointment


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Any information provided on this Web site should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for a consultation with a physician. If you have a medical problem, contact your local physician for diagnosis and treatment.