Occasional difficulty swallowing is normal. It could be a temporary condition caused by indigestion, not chewing your food sufficiently, a sore throat, or other conditions. If your swallowing problem continues, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. Chronic swallowing problems should be evaluated by a gastroenterologist. The gastroenterologists at Island View Gastroenterology offer a wide range of GI services, including diagnosis and treatment for conditions that cause difficulty swallowing. They have two convenient office locations in Ventura, and Oxnard, CA, to help you.
What You Need To Know About Difficulty Swallowing
Swallowing difficulty is a condition known as dysphagia. You may experience other symptoms when you have dysphagia, including:
- Pain when you swallow
- Hoarseness
- Regurgitation
- Coughing when you swallow
- Gagging or choking when you swallow
You can develop dysphagia from several causes, including:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Head and neck cancer
- Thyroid problems
- Thyroid cancer
If you are experiencing difficulty swallowing over a prolonged period of time, you should visit your gastroenterologist who may recommend an endoscopy. An endoscopy is a procedure to view your esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine.
A thin, flexible tube with a camera on one end is inserted in your mouth and guided into your upper digestive system, while you are sedated. The camera allows your doctor to view the walls of your esophagus to look for lesions, irritations, blockages, and other conditions which may be causing swallowing problems.
If your doctor locates any abnormal areas, a small tissue sample can be taken, or a blockage can be removed. The tissue may be sent for a biopsy to check for cancerous cells.
Want To Know More?
To find out more about what causes difficulty swallowing, and how your gastroenterologist can help, call the gastroenterologists at Island View Gastroenterology. You can reach them in Ventura, CA, by calling (805) 641-6525, or in Oxnard, CA, by calling (805) 973-1227, so call today.