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Dysphagia
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 can swallow liquids. These individuals typically have an esophagus tumor (tissue that grow more rapidly than normal) or 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. Both tumors and lower esophageal ring can cause blockages, making it hard for food to travel down the esophagus. Other 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.
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