Child Having Trouble In Swallowing - Dysphagia in Child

Ever had tempting food calling out to you, but could not swallow it? This could be a serious medical condition and should not be taken lightly. Sometimes, certain disorders in the throat or the esophagus culminate in acute difficulties in swallowing.

Commonly termed dysphagia, this disease is directly linked to some sort of a neuro cardiac abnormality. Dysphagia is commonly noted in babies and aged people or in other words in those age groups whose immunity systems are not necessarily strong.

Occasional troubles in swallowing can go unnoticed and may not necessarily raise the alarm, but if this condition prevails for a comparatively long period of time, then one really needs to get themselves checked.

Symptoms of Dysphagia in Child

1. Having the feeling of food getting stuck in the chest or throat.
2. Food or stomach acid coming back up into the throat
3. Regurgitation
4. Hoarseness of the throat
5. Gagging and coughing while swallowing

Causes of Dysphagia in Infants

Some of the most prominent cause when a child feels difficulty while swallowing:

• Muscular and nervous dysfunctions: On certain occasions, the nerves and the muscles that are responsible for transporting food through the food pipe may not be functioning properly. As a consequence of which, food particles find it difficult to navigate through the esophagus and reach the stomach. Such a condition may be spurred by a stroke or nervous diseases like Parkinson's, sclerosis, or dystrophy. A weak immunity system of child, leading to inflammation and thus narrowing of the esophageal walls may also cause such a disease.
• Gastronomical distresses: Ulcers or inflammation of the food pipe due to some gastroenteric disorders is also a cause of dysphagia. Such a condition may arise out of innocuous situations like an allergic reaction or on account of more chronic medical distresses like cancers and tumors. 
• Dryness inside the mouth: The saliva in the mouth in kid helps in debilitating the food particles into a digestible form.  However, due to some kind of a hormonal imbalance, if there isn't adequate saliva formation, it becomes a task to swallow the food and results in dysphagia. 
• Dietary Changes- In this swallowing treatment option for child, you will be referred to a dietician or nutritionist. You will be advised of a well-balanced and healthy diet that may include more liquid and semi-liquid food.
• Swallowing Therapy- If your child suffering from high dysphagia, you will be referred to speech and language therapists. You will be taught a number of exercises to make the process of swallowing easier and simple.

With timely diagnosis, dysphagia in kids can be treated effectively. Treating dysphagia usually involves a few clinical methods as well as a few lifestyle changes.  Certain child specialists advise exercising the throat muscles that can possibly ease out swallowing while others recommend specific changes in the diet for the same. Surgical procedures involve dilation and endoscopy which clears out the surface area of the esophagus as a result of which heals dysphagia to a great extent.

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