Dysphagia

Felix B. Chang, MD, DABMA, FAAMA Reviewed 06/2018

BASICS

Difficulty transmitting the alimentary bolus from the mouth to stomach

DESCRIPTION

Oropharyngeal dysphagia: difficulty transferring food bolus from oropharynx to proximal esophagus
Esophageal dys...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Dysphagia to both solids and liquids from the onset of deglutition likely represents an esophageal motility disorder.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia presents as difficulty initiating the swal...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Exclude cardiac disease. Ensure airway patency and adequate pulmonary function. Assess nutritional status. Speech therapy evaluation is helpful.

MEDICATION

First Line

For esoph...

ONGOING CARE

DIET

See “General Prevention.”

PATIENT EDUCATION

Dietary modification; no eating at bedtime; remaining upright after eating; smoking cessation

PROGNOSIS

Vary with specific diagnosis

COMPLICATIONS

REFERENCES

American College of Radiology. ACR appropriateness criteria for dysphagia. https://www.guidelinecentral.com/summaries/acr-appropriateness-criteria-dysphagia/. Accessed October 4, 2017.

Al-...

ADDITIONAL READING

Jones K, Pitceathly RD, Rose MR, et al. Interventions for dysphagia in long-term, progressive muscle disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;(2):CD004303. [View Abstract on...

CODES

ICD10

R13.10 Dysphagia, unspecified
R13.12 Dysphagia, oropharyngeal phase
R13.14 Dysphagia, pharyngoesophageal phase
Q39.3 Congenital stenosis and stricture of esophagus
R13.19 Other dysphagia
R13.13 ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

Dysphagia is an alarm symptom that warrants prompt evaluation to define the exact cause and initiate appropriate therapy.
Patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia usually report feeling an...

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