Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) Treatment Near Me

Improving Quality of Life for Dysphagia Patients

Dysphagia – the medical name for difficulty swallowing – is a serious condition that can interfere with your quality of life, in some cases even causing dehydration and unintentional weight loss.

At Southern ENT, our knowledgeable, experienced providers can provide an accurate diagnosis and customized treatment plan to restore your well-being and peace of mind. We utilize best-in-class equipment and technology in a state-of-the-art practice setting to get to the root of your concerns and help you reclaim your health and confidence.

What is Dysphagia?

If you find it difficult to swallow liquids or solids, you may be suffering from dysphagia, a condition that requires immediate investigation, as it could signal a potentially serious underlying medical issue. Our ENT experts can examine you right away and create a personalized treatment plan to resolve your issue.

Swallowing involves the tongue and throat muscles that push your consumed liquids and foods along the esophagus and into the belly. Symptoms of a swallowing disorder include:

Pain when swallowing
Being unable to swallow
A feeling that food is stuck in your windpipe or chest
Coughing or choking when you attempt to swallow
Drooling
Losing your voice
Regurgitating your food
Unintentional weight loss
Malnutrition
Dehydration
Heartburn/GERD
Acid reflux

What Causes Difficulty Swallowing?

There are a few different types of dysphagia to be aware of. Esophageal dysphagia happens when food gets lodged in the throat or chest after you attempt to swallow. This can be due to esophagus spasms, malfunctioning of the esophageal sphincter, or something else that is causing weakness or disruption in the esophagus.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia occurs when the muscles in the tongue or throat are not strong enough to transport food from the mouth to the esophagus. This can sometimes be due to neurological disorders (multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy) or an injury or stroke affecting the nervous system.

Diagnosing Dysphagia

Because more serious illnesses such as cancer may be underlying your swallowing difficulty, it is critical that you receive a thorough exam to get to the root of the problem. You may need to get neck and chest X-rays with contrast dye to show exactly where food and liquids are having trouble passing through to the stomach. An upper endoscopy may be required to fully view the esophagus along with a biopsy of the esophageal lining.

What is the Treatment for Dysphagia?

At Southern ENT Associates, we understand how devastating it can be to encounter swallowing problems, especially when they interfere with your work or personal life. Our highly skilled team is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions and personalized treatment plans that meet your needs. We offer targeted medications, surgery, swallowing therapy, and behavioral coaching to help you regain normalcy in your everyday life.

Why Choose Southern ENT Associates in Louisiana?

At Southern ENT Associates, patients enjoy compassionate, concierge care and world-class procedures from an outstanding team of medical professionals who have served the Southern Louisiana community for over twenty-five years. All of our providers are specialists in their fields and are focused on caring for individuals and families using the latest in groundbreaking diagnostic and treatment technology. If you are experiencing difficulty swallowing, reach out to us today to set up your private consultation and take your health and well-being to the next level. Call today.

Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)