Dysphagia (Difficulty Swallowing): A side effect after Lap band surgery!

What is Dysphagia (Difficulty swallowing)?

What are the causes of Dysphagia?

What are the symptoms of Dysphagia?

How can you treat Dysphagia?


Like other side effects Dysphagia which is also known as Difficulty Swallowing is a medical term in which you can see the symptoms of swallowing difficulties. In this the sufferers are sometimes unaware of their dysphasia. The word Dysphagia came from greek root dys that means disorder and phagia means to eat. In this the patient have problem eating any solid or liquid food and have problem when they take some food and try to eat and send it towards their stomach.


Cause of Dysphagia:-

In this the muscles of throat and esophagus squeeze or contract to move the food or liquid from mouth to stomach without any problems but if the problem occurs then it is hard for the food or liquid to travel down towards esophagus. Erosion can also occur at this time. The reasons behind these are:

  • Had a stroke or brain or spinal cord injury or problem with your nervous system like achalasia, post-polio syndrome, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, or Parkinson's disease.
  • Your immune system problem caused the swelling and weakness like polymyositis or dermatomyositis.
  • Esophageal spasm – In this the esophagus muscle squeezes suddenly and stops the food to reach to the stomach.

Symptoms of Dysphagia:-

  • Problem getting food or liquid in first attempt.
  • Gag, choke or cough when swallow.
  • After swallow the food come up from your throat, mouth or nose.
  • A sensation of food stuck inside the throat or chest.
  • Pain if swallow the food.
  • Feeling pain, pressure and heartburn.

In emergency condition like if you are having breathing problems then call 911 immediately.

Treatment of Dysphagia

You can try these things if having dysphasia;

  1. Exercise of swallowing muscle – Getting a light exercise of the throat muscles will be nice. You also need to see how to sit that the food swallows better.
  2. Change the food you eat - Take the suggestion from doctor about the food you are trying to eat and now what you should eat for better treatment of your body.
  3. Dilation - You can go for dilation.
  4. Endoscopy - This is done if the food is stuck inside the throat or inside chest.
  5. Surgery – If the esophagus blockage occurred then you need to go for the surgery.
  6. Medicines – The Dysphagia related GERD, heartburn or esophagitis then some medicines can also help you. Your Lap Band Doctor can prescribe about it.

Dysphagia after Lap Band Surgery has been occurred in many patients after lap band surgery and it is good to take the medical advice by the lap band doctor so that the treatment can be done as soon as possible.

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