Differential diagnosis of swallowing disorders

Dysphagia – swallowing disorders – are the leading symptoms of diseases and injuries of the tongue, pharynx (oropharyngeal dysphagia), and esophagus (esophageal dysphagia).

We distinguish:
 * odynophagia,
 * mechanical dysphagia,
 * neuromuscular dysphagia.

Odynophagia
Odynophagia or painful swallowing is caused by inflammation, tumors, or foreign bodies. The pain is escalated by swallowing. When the pharynx and larynx are affected, they often irradiate into the ear (common innervation). In the esophagus, the patient describes pressure and tightness pain, often heartburn. Attempts to swallow may be associated with vomiting and aspiration. Affected people often drool, thicken, have ankylostoma.

Mechanical dysphagia
It is expressed by the binding of the bite. The causes can be neurogenic, myogenic, and obstructive. Accompanied by belching, vomiting, regurgitation, vomiting, foetor ex ore.

Neuromuscular dysphagia
Parkinson's, MS, bulbar lesions, diabetic neuropathy, myositis, muscular dystrophy, cricopharyngeal dyskinesia. In the esophagus, localized peristalsis disorders, spasms, and atony are in the foreground.

Linked articles

 * Swallowing
 * Vagus nerve