Head and Neck
Causes of Swallowing Disorders
Trouble swallowing might be because of something blocking the esophagus and this is preventing anything from passing through. Swallowing disorders might stem from any of the following types of blockages:
- Esophagitis – This is where the esophagus becomes inflamed after an infection or perhaps even a pill getting stuck. For some, they also experience some form of reaction to a substance in the air or food they consume.
- Gastroesophegeal Reflux Disease (GERD) – If stomach acid manages to back right up into the esophagus, ulcers can form and this can actually lead to scars; in turn, this narrows the esophagus.
- Other Issues – Although these are the two main issues, you could also have cancerous or benign tumors within the esophagus or small sacs that form on the walls of your throat (diverticula). Finally, lymph nodes can appear on the vertebrae and push into the esophagus from the outside.
Secondly, the muscles and/or nerves might not be working correctly and this may come from brain injuries, stroke, orsome other health concerns.
- Nervous System – With muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, these can affect the muscles and nerves.
Esophageal Spasm – At random intervals, the muscles will squeeze together and this prevents food from reaching the stomach.
- Scleroderma – With the esophagus tissue, this can become hard as well as narrow. In some cases, it can also weaken the lower esophageal muscles which, in turn, causes a backup of stomach acid in the throat.
- Immune System – Finally, an issue in the immune system can cause weakness and swelling in the area.
Now we know the issues that exist, how do professionals treat these swallowing disorders so you can return to your normal self? Firstly, they’ll try to locate the problem using an x-ray and various other procedures they have. If necessary, they’ll use a small camera to see the extent of the damage or even a small pressure gauge to measure your ability to swallow. Once they’ve found the cause, they can get to work on treatment and there are many different solutions depending on the cause.
- Dilation – If your esophagus has narrowed, this treatment will see a small device expand the area; this may require several sessions.
- Diet – If your diet is causing the problem, your doctor will recommend changing the foods you eat to identify the problematic ingredient.
- Exercise – As strange as It sounds, you can actually complete swallowing exercises to strengthen the muscles and allow for better swallowing.
- Endoscopy – In some situations, a blockage might cause the problem and an endoscopy can be used to remove any objects.
- Medicines – If the issue is related to heartburn, GERD, or esophagitis, some prescription medicines might be able to prevent stomach acid from getting into the esophagus. With infections, antibiotic medicines will also help the problem.
- Surgery – Finally, and this will only be done if completely necessary, surgery can remove blockages or anything else affecting the lower esophageal muscle.
When a Neck Lump is Serious
Lymph nodes are organs spread throughout the body and are part of the lymphatic system. These important structures are often subject to infection and it is very common for lymph nodes on the neck to become swollen. There are times, however, when these lumps or bumps may need more than the usual attention. Generally, a neck lump caused by a viral infection will heal over time and the swelling will subside. For bacterial infections, time coupled with a round of antibiotics usually does the trick. So how do you know when a neck lump is serious? In the event these bumps on the neck do not go away, there are some signs and symptoms that can help one determine whether this is a serious condition requiring medical attention.
Certain cancers of the neck and head can be found in the lymph nodes, often causing the nodes on the neck to protrude. How is one to tell if this neck lump is a sign of cancer or if the cause is a simple virus or other infection? Symptoms, such as having trouble swallowing, exhibiting an abnormal growth on the tongue, or developing vocal changes or hoarseness, can indicate a trip to the doctor may be in order. Other symptoms can include ulcers on the skin or an enlarged thyroid. Bleeding in the nose, mouth, or when coughing are additional signs that, when coupled with a neck lump, should be examined. Pain that does not go away, earaches, and black and blue marks should also be brought to the attention of the physician.
While the occasional swollen lymph node is normal, be on the lookout for those symptoms that could be an indication of a more serious problem. To get the proper care, bring these to the attention of an ear, nose, and throat specialist. When a number of the symptoms listed above are seen together, and over a period of time, a trained professional can help determine when a neck lump is serious and something more than just an infection. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prove greatly beneficial; it can even be lifesaving.