Conditions Related to Difficulty Swallowing


If you’re having difficulty swallowing in Carmel, IN, Dr. Robert Youkilis, Dr. Jeffrey Beach, and Dr. Seth Bruggers of Northside ENT can help you diagnose the cause and develop an effective treatment plan.

What Does It Mean When You Have Difficulty Swallowing?

Difficulty swallowing is a common condition known as dysphagia. It is characterized by symptoms such as the following:

  • Drooling
  • Choking on even the smallest bits of food and liquid
  • Feeling a constant lump in your throat
  • Pain when swallowing
  • Unexplained voice changes
  • Infection in the lungs
  • Coughing up blood
  • Having trouble moving food from the throat through the esophagus
  • Unexplained weight loss

Causes of Dysphagia

Dysphagia can be caused by a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Acid reflux issues or GERD
  • Bacterial or viral throat infections
  • Side effects of some medications
  • Paralysis of the vocal fold
  • Weakness in the muscles responsible for swallowing, which is common as you age 
  • Getting food or other items stuck in the throat
  • Throat, lung, or esophageal tumors
  • Diverticula
  • Esophagitis

Treatment and Diagnosis

If you’re having difficulty swallowing, it’s important to visit your ENT specialist as soon as possible. There are various tests used to diagnose the cause, including but not limited to the following:

  •  Flexible Fiberoptic Laryngoscopy:  Once the inside of the nose is numbed, a small flexible scope is passed through the nose and the inside of the throat and voice box is examined.  This is easy to do during a normal office visit.  It is the best way to see if there are any signs of irritation, infection, masses, or voice box weakness.
  • FEES- A flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing or FEES also involves using a camera. This is done by a qualified speech and swallowing therapist who records the swallowing function with the camera.
  • Barium Swallow- The Barium Swallow does not use a camera. Instead, the patient is given barium to drink and a specialized x-ray is utilized to give a good look at any trouble you might have from your mouth all the way to the small intestine. 

Dr. Youkilis, Dr. Beach, or Dr. Bruggers will determine the best course of treatment according to the results of the test. It may include working with other specialists, such as gastroenterologists or neurologists, depending on your specific condition. 

Trouble swallowing can be a sign of serious issues. If you’re experiencing difficulty swallowing in Carmel, IN, schedule an appointment with Dr. Youkilis, Dr. Beach, or Dr. Bruggers at Northside ENT by calling (317) 844-5656.

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Northside ENT

Monday:

8:00 am-4:30 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-4:30 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-4:30 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-4:30 pm

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8:00 am-4:30 pm

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