DYSPHAGIA
Dysphagia is the subjective sensation of difficulty swallowing. Symptoms can range from a
complete inability to swallow, to the sensation of solids or liquids becoming “stuck.”
Dysphagia is classified as either oropharyngeal or esophageal, with esophageal dysphagia
having 2 sub-types: functional and mechanical.
Swallowing
consists of 3 phases:
1. Oral preparatory and transport phase:
• Voluntary control of mastication
• Food bolus is chewed and directed to the posterior tongue
2. Pharyngeal phase:
• Involuntary swallow response
• Food bolus is advanced through the pharynx
3. Esophageal phase:
• Involuntary esophageal peristalsis
• Food bolus is advanced through the esophagus
.
Classification
There are 2 categories of dysphagia:
Oropharyngeal dysphagia:
• Difficulty initiating a swallow due to a disorder in the oral or pharyngeal phase
• Patients have difficulty transferring food from the mouth through the pharynx.
Esophageal dysphagia:
• Disorder in the esophageal phase of swallowing
• Difficulty swallowing that presents several seconds after initiating a swallow
• May be accompanied by the feeling of food getting “stuck”
Broken into 2 sub-categories:
• Functional and motility disorders
• Mechanical and obstructive disorders
