You probably want help fast if you have trouble swallowing.Dysphagia is a medical term for trouble swallowing and can be treated by a team of specialists.You should see your doctor if you notice any symptoms of dysphagia.Work with your doctor to treat your condition.You will need to make changes to your diet in order to eat more.
Step 1: You should visit your doctor if you notice any of the symptoms.
It's best to talk to your doctor to make sure you're okay if you have Dysphagia occasionally.Your doctor can help you get treatment if you tell them about all of your symptoms.If you have any of the following symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor.
Step 2: Do diagnostic tests to find out if you have Dysphagia.
Your doctor can make a proper diagnosis if you let them do diagnostic tests.You may experience some pain during these tests.Barium X-ray: Your doctor may ask you to drink a dye or eat a barium-coated food.If the food got stuck, they will X-ray your chest to make sure.Your doctor might want you to swallow a variety of foods to see how they pass through your stomach.A small camera and light can be put down your throat to check your stomach.The doctor can put a tube down your throat to measure the pressure inside your stomach.They might do an exam to look for problems in your stomach.
Step 3: Talk to your doctor about what's going on.
There are several different causes of dysphagia.Take your medical history to your doctor to find out what's going on.Discuss any other symptoms that you may be having.Your doctor can use this to find the right treatment for you.Dysphagia can be caused by trauma, chemotherapy, radiation, and nerve damage.Multiple Sclerosis, mouth cancer, and esophageal cancer are some of the conditions that can cause it.Your doctor will ask which foods cause swallowing problems.If you're only having trouble with food, you may have a narrowing of your esophagus.If you're also having trouble with liquids, you might have a disorder.If your swallowing problems are getting worse, you might have a stricture.If you're over 50, you should see your doctor.
Step 4: If you have trouble breathing, get emergency medical care.
Dysphagia makes it hard for you to breathe.It is important to get immediate medical care to help you recover.If you can't breathe, call the emergency room.If you can't breathe, do not drive yourself to the hospital.You can either ask someone else to take you or call an ambulance.
Step 5: If you have an underlying medical condition, treat it.
If you have an underlying condition that is causing your dysphagia, you will need to treat it.Work with your doctor to come up with a treatment plan.Follow their instructions to get better.You may be able to take medication to treat a disease.AotulinumtoxinA may be offered as a treatment for muscle damage that is preventing you from swallowing.If cancer causes your symptoms, you might begin treatment.If your doctor finds a stricture using anEGD scope, they'll dilating your esophagus during the exam to treat it.
Step 6: Swallowing therapy can be done with a speech and language pathologist.
Swallowing therapy can help strengthen your muscles and make swallowing easier.Ask your doctor to refer you to a speech and language pathologist.Work with them to learn how to swallow.They can teach you exercises to help you coordinate your swallowing muscles.You could learn how to swallow better.They can show you how to put food in your mouth.They can teach you a new way to swallow.If you have an underlying condition, they can show you how to compensate for it.
Step 7: If surgery can help you swallow better, ask your doctor.
If you don't improve, your doctor may be able to widen your esophagus.They might be able to use a plastic or metal tube to hold your esophagus open.It's a good idea to talk to your doctor about your surgical options.It can be permanent or temporary if you get a stent.Your doctor will remove it if it is temporary.They may replace it at that time if they expect you to recover.
Step 8: To get a meal plan that works for you, talk to a dietitian.
If you have trouble swallowing, you may be too thin.A meal plan designed by a dietitian will help you get proper nutrition.Ask your doctor to refer you to a registered dietitian.Your dietitian will talk to you about what you can and can't eat.If possible, they'll include your favorite foods in your diet.Do you have trouble following your diet?They can help you find food that works for you.
Step 9: You can eat more with smaller, more frequent meals.
It is difficult to eat a big meal at once.Shrink your meals and eat more often to meet your nutrition needs.If you eat half as much as you normally do, you have 6 meals a day.This will increase your food intake.Try to eat at certain times of the day.
Step 10: Soft foods are easier to swallow.
It might be easier to eat mashed potatoes, yogurt, and soup.To help you eat more, base your meals around these easy-to-swallow foods.If you want to supplement a liquid diet, use these foods.You can eat yogurt for breakfast, pea soup for lunch, and mashed potatoes for dinner.
Step 11: To make it easier to swallow, cut up your food.
You can eat foods that are cut up.You can turn your food into a thin liquid by pureeing it.Cut them up into very small pieces.If you want it to be easier to swallow, take small bites.Liquid meals can be made with the help of your dietitian.Sometimes your doctor will give you a liquid diet plan.Try eating fruit and veggies in a smoothie.
Step 12: You should chew your food slowly.
It's hard for you to swallow large amounts of food.If you want to avoid lodged foods, chew your food until it is mush.It will be simpler to get it all down.It is recommended that you chew your food at least 32 times.If you don't get used to chewing long enough, count how many times you chew.
Step 13: If you can't get proper nutrition, get a feeding tube.
You may need a feeding tube in rare cases.Your doctor can put the tube in your nose or stomach.Liquid supplements can be poured through the feeding tube to nourish your body.It doesn't hurt to have a feeding tube, but it might be uncomfortable when it's changed.After you get your feeding tube, you may be able to eat small amounts of food.If it's okay for you to eat certain foods, ask your doctor.