{"id":5371,"date":"2025-12-08T21:22:56","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T02:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=5371"},"modified":"2026-01-12T18:38:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T23:38:38","slug":"dysphagia-and-esophageal-disorders","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/chapter\/dysphagia-and-esophageal-disorders\/","title":{"raw":"10p10  Dysphagia and Esophageal Disorders","rendered":"10p10  Dysphagia and Esophageal Disorders"},"content":{"raw":"<h1><strong>Definitions - Dysphagia and Odynophagia<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Dysphagia:<\/strong>\u00a0Difficulty swallowing or inability to swallow.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Odynophagia:<\/strong>\u00a0Pain during swallowing.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Causes of Dysphagia<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Damage to nerves or muscles controlling the esophagus.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Obstruction within the esophagus.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Mechanistic Causes of Dysphagia:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<h1><strong>1.\u00a0 Neural Damage<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Esophagus relies on\u00a0<strong>innervation<\/strong>\u00a0to coordinate\u00a0<strong>peristalsis<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Damage can be caused by:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Infections<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Stroke<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Brain injury<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Result<\/strong>: Food does not move properly, causes obstruction, and difficulty swallowing.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>2.\u00a0 Achalasia<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Failure<\/strong>\u00a0of\u00a0<strong>lower esophageal sphincter (LES)<\/strong>\u00a0to relax.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Food accumulates in the esophagus, causing\u00a0<strong>dysphagia<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Usually\u00a0<strong>neurological<\/strong>\u00a0in origin; possible nerve damage.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>3.\u00a0 Muscular Problems<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Muscles may malfunction:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Example:\u00a0<strong>Muscular dystrophy<\/strong>\u00a0(degeneration of muscles).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Result<\/strong>: Ineffective contractions impair food propulsion.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>4.\u00a0 Five Types of Obstructions<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Congenital defects<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Developmental abnormalities (e.g.,\u00a0<strong>atresia<\/strong> \u2014 blind-ending esophagus).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Requires surgical correction.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Fistulas<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Abnormal connection between\u00a0<strong>esophagus<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>trachea<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Can cause\u00a0<strong>food entry into lungs<\/strong>\u00a0(aspiration choking).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Surgical correction required.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Strictures<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Narrowing of the esophagus.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Usually\u00a0<strong>acquired<\/strong>\u00a0due to\u00a0<strong>scarring<\/strong>, often from:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Chronic\u00a0<strong>reflux<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Ulcers<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Radiation therapy<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Chemical injury (e.g.,\u00a0<strong>bleach, lye<\/strong>\u00a0ingestion).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Fibrosis<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>From scarring, inflammation, or infection.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Tumors<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>May\u00a0<strong>compress<\/strong>\u00a0the esophagus, causing obstruction.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>5.\u00a0 Diverticula<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Outpouchings (<strong>pouches<\/strong>) in the esophageal wall.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Can trap food, leading to\u00a0<strong>obstruction<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Causes:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Weakness<\/strong>\u00a0in the muscle wall.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Congenital<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>acquired<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1>\u00a0Signs of Dysphagia:<\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Difficulty swallowing.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Foul breath (from trapped rotting food).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Cough and\u00a0<strong>hoarseness<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Dysphagia can result from\u00a0<strong>neural, muscular, or structural<\/strong>\u00a0problems.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Obstructions may be congenital, acquired, or due to tumors.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Treatment involves\u00a0<strong>diversions<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>dilation<\/strong>, or\u00a0<strong>surgical correction<\/strong>\u00a0depending on the cause.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","rendered":"<h1><strong>Definitions &#8211; Dysphagia and Odynophagia<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dysphagia:<\/strong>\u00a0Difficulty swallowing or inability to swallow.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Odynophagia:<\/strong>\u00a0Pain during swallowing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Causes of Dysphagia<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Damage to nerves or muscles controlling the esophagus.<\/li>\n<li>Obstruction within the esophagus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Mechanistic Causes of Dysphagia:<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h1><strong>1.\u00a0 Neural Damage<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Esophagus relies on\u00a0<strong>innervation<\/strong>\u00a0to coordinate\u00a0<strong>peristalsis<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Damage can be caused by:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Infections<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stroke<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Brain injury<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Result<\/strong>: Food does not move properly, causes obstruction, and difficulty swallowing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>2.\u00a0 Achalasia<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Failure<\/strong>\u00a0of\u00a0<strong>lower esophageal sphincter (LES)<\/strong>\u00a0to relax.<\/li>\n<li>Food accumulates in the esophagus, causing\u00a0<strong>dysphagia<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Usually\u00a0<strong>neurological<\/strong>\u00a0in origin; possible nerve damage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>3.\u00a0 Muscular Problems<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Muscles may malfunction:\n<ul>\n<li>Example:\u00a0<strong>Muscular dystrophy<\/strong>\u00a0(degeneration of muscles).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Result<\/strong>: Ineffective contractions impair food propulsion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>4.\u00a0 Five Types of Obstructions<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Congenital defects<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Developmental abnormalities (e.g.,\u00a0<strong>atresia<\/strong> \u2014 blind-ending esophagus).<\/li>\n<li>Requires surgical correction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fistulas<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Abnormal connection between\u00a0<strong>esophagus<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>trachea<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Can cause\u00a0<strong>food entry into lungs<\/strong>\u00a0(aspiration choking).<\/li>\n<li>Surgical correction required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Strictures<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Narrowing of the esophagus.<\/li>\n<li>Usually\u00a0<strong>acquired<\/strong>\u00a0due to\u00a0<strong>scarring<\/strong>, often from:\n<ul>\n<li>Chronic\u00a0<strong>reflux<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ulcers<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Radiation therapy<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Chemical injury (e.g.,\u00a0<strong>bleach, lye<\/strong>\u00a0ingestion).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fibrosis<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>From scarring, inflammation, or infection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tumors<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>May\u00a0<strong>compress<\/strong>\u00a0the esophagus, causing obstruction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>5.\u00a0 Diverticula<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Outpouchings (<strong>pouches<\/strong>) in the esophageal wall.<\/li>\n<li>Can trap food, leading to\u00a0<strong>obstruction<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Causes:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Weakness<\/strong>\u00a0in the muscle wall.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Congenital<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>acquired<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>\u00a0Signs of Dysphagia:<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>Difficulty swallowing.<\/li>\n<li>Foul breath (from trapped rotting food).<\/li>\n<li>Cough and\u00a0<strong>hoarseness<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Dysphagia can result from\u00a0<strong>neural, muscular, or structural<\/strong>\u00a0problems.<\/li>\n<li>Obstructions may be congenital, acquired, or due to tumors.<\/li>\n<li>Treatment involves\u00a0<strong>diversions<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>dilation<\/strong>, or\u00a0<strong>surgical correction<\/strong>\u00a0depending on the cause.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"author":1370,"menu_order":13,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-5371","chapter","type-chapter","status-web-only","hentry"],"part":67,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1370"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5371\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5374,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5371\/revisions\/5374"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/67"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5371\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=5371"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=5371"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=5371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}