Difficulty in swallowing

Also known as Choking, Unable to swallow, and Dysphagia

What causes it?

The most common causes of difficulty in swallowing are common cold, gastroesophageal reflux disease (gerd), and strep throat. Other possible causes, such as foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract, are more rare.

What symptoms are related?

Within all the people who go to their doctor with difficulty in swallowing, 71% report having sore throat, 36% report having cough, and 27% report having abnormal breathing sounds.

What might my doctor prescribe?

Common Tests and Procedures

Patients with difficulty in swallowing often receive intravenous fluid replacement, kidney function tests, x-ray computed tomography, other diagnostic procedures (interview; evaluation; consultation), upper gastrointestinal endoscopy; biopsy, biopsy, arterial blood gases (abgs) and blood culture .

Common Medications

The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with difficulty in swallowing include glucagon, barium sulfate, phenol topical, quinine, benzocaine topical, pyridostigmine (mestinon), fludrocortisone, epirubicin, desloratadine / pseudoephedrine, entacapone (comtan), prilocaine (emla), saliva substitutes and caffeine-sodium benzoate .

Who is at risk?

Groups of people at highest risk for difficulty in swallowing include .