Various medications for difficulty swallowing due to dysphagia

When you experience difficulty swallowing due to dysphagia, eating or drinking becomes something that may no longer be fun. The reason is, the pain you feel when you swallow is quite disturbing and makes you grimace in pain. If this happens, don't leave it on for too long. Immediately find out how to deal with difficulty swallowing due to dysphagia.

How to deal with difficulty swallowing due to dysphagia

Dysphagia is a condition when it takes you longer to swallow food because of the pain. In fact, for some people dysphagia makes it unable to swallow at all. Dysphagia is a serious condition caused by a health problem that requires treatment.

Treatment of dysphagia is usually tailored to the location of the problem. Here are some things you can do to treat dysphagia based on the cause:

Oropharyngeal dysphagia

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is quite difficult to treat because it is generally caused by problems with the nerves. Therefore, generally this condition cannot be treated with drugs or surgery. To help relieve pain when swallowing due to dysphagia this one doctor will do several things, such as:

1. Change in diet

Choosing to eat foods that are easier to swallow is an effective way to treat dysphagia. But not just eating, doctors will usually determine foods with balanced nutrition so that patients with dysphagia do not lack nutrition. Various foods with soft and liquid textures are usually recommended foods.

2. Swallowing therapy

Swallowing therapy is usually performed by a speech and language therapist. The patient will learn how to swallow with a new technique. These exercises help improve muscle function and how the body responds to them.

3. Feeding through a tube

If you are at risk of developing pneumonia, malnutrition, or dehydration due to severe dysphagia the doctor will usually feed through a tube. There are two types of tubes used, namely:

• Nasogastric that is inserted into the nose and down to the stomach.
• Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, a tube that is implanted directly into the stomach.

The nasogastric tube usually needs to be replaced and replaced in the other nostril after about a month. While percutaneous endoscopic gastrotomy tubes are usually designed for long-term use and can last for several months before they eventually have to be replaced.

Esophageal dysphagia

Esophageal dysphagia is a condition when you have difficulty swallowing because of a problem with your esophagus. To fix this, here are some actions you can take:

1. Medicine

Dysophagia associated with GERD (acid reflux) is usually treated with drugs. The drugs commonly used are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). This medicine can help reduce stomach acid production.

2. Botox

Botox is usually used for medication when the muscles in the esophagus are too stiff, making it difficult for food and fluids to enter the stomach. Well, bottled poison is a strong poison that can paralyze stiff muscles, thereby reducing constriction. However, the effects of Botox lasted only six months.

3. Endoscopic dilation

This technique is usually used to treat esophageal dysphagia caused by a blockage in the esophagus. In addition, this method is also done using an endoscope with a special balloon to swell the esophagus.

4. Insert the stent

If you have esophageal cancer that can't be removed, your doctor will recommend that you place a stent (metal tube) instead of endoscopic dilation. The reason is, the risk is much higher if you insist on endoscopic dilation.

Gradually, the stent will create a tunnel wide enough for the food to pass through the esophagus. In order to keep the stent open without clogging, it is usually recommended that you follow a special diet.