In case of infection, antibiotics have a role to play. If the dysphagia is because of GERD, antacids and proton pump inhibitors are usually prescribed to prevent the acidity. Testing of pH: The pH inside the esophagus is monitored to see the frequency of acid reflux from the stomach.
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: An endoscope is passed into the esophagus and the physician can have a direct look.Fluoroscopy: The patient is asked to swallow barium containing liquid and its passage through the esophagus is videotaped.The barium coats the esophagus and then X-rays are taken to detect any obstruction. `Barium swallow: The patient is made to drink liquid containing barium which is radio-opaque.This leads to scarring of the esophageal lining and subsequent constriction of its lumen. In this condition, the regurgitation of acid from the stomach into the esophagus causes formation of small ulcers. The most common cause of dysphagia is gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).This may be due to conditions like esophageal tumors, diverticula, or any other tumors or enlarged lymph nodes which may be pressing the esophagus from outside. Dysphagia may also occur due to an obstruction in the food pipe.Conditions like polymyositis and dermatomyositis which are characterized by a weakness of these muscles may also lead to dysphagia. It may also follow a stroke or spinal cord injury.
This condition may be a result of many diseases of the nervous system like polio, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and muscular dystrophy. This may be because of pathology of the muscles or the nerves innervating them. Dysphagia may result due to improper contraction of the muscles in the throat and esophagus.The patient may experience difficulty in swallowing both solids and liquids. Esophageal dysphagia is more commonly encountered in clinical practice compared to oropharyngeal dysphagia. Esophageal dysphagia: Here, the patient complains of pain in chest while the food passes from the esophagus to the stomach.Oropharyngeal dysphagia: Here, the patient experiences difficulty in pushing the food from the mouth to the esophagus.A person suffering from dysphagia often feels that the food is sticking to his food pipe resulting in pain and heaviness in the chest.