• It is the feeling of being stuck at any point from the pharynx to the stomach until the foodstuffs reach the stomach.
• It is the most important symptom of motility disorders in general.
• Sometimes without any pathology, depending on emotional factors, especially in women, dysphagia can be felt in the pharyngeal region and it is defined as globus hystericus (or globus pharyngeus).
• Dysphagia may originate mainly from the oropharynx or esophagus.
There is mainly difficulty in initiating swallowing. There may be dysarthria, cough, hiccups, hoarseness, and especially nasal regurgitation.
In the diagnosis, pharyngography is performed first and swallowing is evaluated under fluoroscopy (video-pharyngoesophagography).
It is caused by structural (mechanical) disorders or motility disorders that block the esophagus.
Barium radiography is the primary method in cases of motility disorder or stenosis.
Direct endoscopy is preferred in cases of mucosal disease or cancer suspicion.
Characteristics of dysphagia due to structural (mechanical) disorders
- Firstly against solid foods, then against liquid foods.
- Dysphagia is usually continuous (may be intermittent in Schatzki's ring).
- Dysphagia is usually progressive.
Characteristics of dysphagia seen in motility disorders
- It is against both solid and liquid foods from the beginning.
- Dysphagia is episodic, there may be periods when the patient is asymptomatic.
- Dysphagia is usually not progressive (Achalasia may progress)
• It is the most important symptom of motility disorders in general.
• Sometimes without any pathology, depending on emotional factors, especially in women, dysphagia can be felt in the pharyngeal region and it is defined as globus hystericus (or globus pharyngeus).
• Dysphagia may originate mainly from the oropharynx or esophagus.
- Oropharyngeal (transfer) dysphagia
It is usually caused by neuromuscular diseases of this region.There is mainly difficulty in initiating swallowing. There may be dysarthria, cough, hiccups, hoarseness, and especially nasal regurgitation.
In the diagnosis, pharyngography is performed first and swallowing is evaluated under fluoroscopy (video-pharyngoesophagography).
- Esophageal dysphagia
There is a feeling of being stuck in the middle and lower part of the sternum.It is caused by structural (mechanical) disorders or motility disorders that block the esophagus.
Barium radiography is the primary method in cases of motility disorder or stenosis.
Direct endoscopy is preferred in cases of mucosal disease or cancer suspicion.
Characteristics of dysphagia due to structural (mechanical) disorders
- Firstly against solid foods, then against liquid foods.
- Dysphagia is usually continuous (may be intermittent in Schatzki's ring).
- Dysphagia is usually progressive.
Characteristics of dysphagia seen in motility disorders
- It is against both solid and liquid foods from the beginning.
- Dysphagia is episodic, there may be periods when the patient is asymptomatic.
- Dysphagia is usually not progressive (Achalasia may progress)
