Dysphagia
Dysphagia is a technical term for difficulty swallowing. It is often associated with disorders that cause a blockage or motor difficulty in the esophagus. The esophagus is the natural tube in the body that food travels down to enter the stomach. Some people with dysphagia have difficulty swallowing foods, but they can swallow liquids. These individuals typically have an esophagus tumor (tissue that grow more rapidly than normal), which is referred to as esophageal cancer. Some people with dysphagia have a condition known as lower esophageal ring. Lower esophageal ring is a ring of tissue located at the area where the esophagus and the stomach connect together. Both tumors and lower esophageal ring can cause blockages, making it hard for food to travel down the esophagus.
Some people with dysphagia have difficulty swallowing both food and liquids. These individuals tend to have motor disorders, such as achalasia. Achalasia is an abnormal condition in which the muscle does not relax. Achalasia tends to occur in the lower part of the esophagus. Dysphagia comes from the Greek word "dys-" meaning "bad or difficult” and the Greek word “phagein” meaning “to swallow.” Put the words together and you get “to swallow bad or difficult.
Some people with dysphagia have difficulty swallowing both food and liquids. These individuals tend to have motor disorders, such as achalasia. Achalasia is an abnormal condition in which the muscle does not relax. Achalasia tends to occur in the lower part of the esophagus. Dysphagia comes from the Greek word "dys-" meaning "bad or difficult” and the Greek word “phagein” meaning “to swallow.” Put the words together and you get “to swallow bad or difficult.
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