Difficulty Swallowing in Rancho Mirage, CA
Difficulty swallowing, medically known as dysphagia, is sometimes painful. The severity of it may range from mild to severe. You may even be completely unable to swallow. Fortunately, Dr. Mark Wilson, Dr. Quinten VanderWerf, and Dr. Christopher Walz at Desert Ear, Nose & Throat, serving Rancho Mirage, CA, and the nearby region, offer treatments to lessen the intensity of your symptoms or possibly correct the problem altogether.
Why You May Have Difficulty Swallowing
You may have difficulty swallowing, pain as you're trying to swallow, or experience food sticking in your chest or throat. You could also suffer from regurgitation or heartburn frequently.
Fully understanding what may be causing your symptoms entails knowing how swallowing works. It's a multistep, complicated process that includes muscles and nerves carrying food from your throat to your stomach.
For instance, you could have damage to any of those nerves and muscles. Or, your esophagus could be narrowed, making it difficult for food to pass through. To name a few more examples, tumors, gastroesophageal reflux disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, and radiation therapy that damaged the esophagus could also contribute.
How We Can Assist
If you're having difficulty swallowing and are near the Rancho Mirage, CA, area, we urge you to schedule an appointment to determine the cause and find a solution.
The diagnostic process may consist of one or more of the following:
- X-rays
- Endoscopy
- Imaging
- Manometry
- Dynamic swallowing test
Treating Swallowing Problem
Once we're familiar with your situation, you'll receive a customized treatment plan that may include exercises to help coordinate the muscles necessary for swallowing. Certain exercises may be needed to restimulate the nerves necessary for swallowing.
Diet changes can help ensure adequate nutrition and the safe swallowing of food. For example, a doctor from our office may recommend switching to a thickened liquid diet or eating puréed or soft foods. We can also help you determine the foods contributing to your problems so you may eliminate them from your diet.
Medication is the best course of action if you're suffering from GERD that causes your issues.
Sometimes, these conservative approaches aren't enough, and surgery is the only option to reach the source of the swallowing troubles. You could need to have a bony protrusion removed or your esophagus widened, for which we can refer you to a specialist.
Contact Us for More Information
At Desert Ear, Nose & Throat, serving Rancho Mirage, CA, and the neighboring communities, Dr. Wilson, Dr. VanderWerf, and Dr. Walz have the necessary education, training, and experience to find the source of your difficulty swallowing and find the most effective treatment approach. Call us at (760) 340-4566 for an appointment for your dysphagia.