Dysphagia or Difficulty Swallowing
Dysphagia refers to the feeling of difficulty passing food from the mouth to the stomach. The symptoms include drooling, discomfort in the throat or chest, a sensation of a lump in the throat, coughing, choking and a change in voice. When dysphagia is persistent, an otolaryngologist may order a procedure to visualize the back of the throat. Medications that slow stomach acid production, muscle relaxants, and antacids are used to treat this condition. Lifestyle changes including weight reduction, eliminating tobacco, alcohol and caffeine, and eating smaller meals are also recommende