Saturday, November 6, 2010

Conditions That Can Cause People To Have Difficulty Swallowing

By Tracie Torres

Some people have difficulty swallowing. It is a condition that is very frustrating. The condition has several causes. These causes run the range from disease to accidents. The inability to swallow might be an ongoing or short term condition.

The most common experienced by people is that of the common cold. Most of us have have had a sore throat that kept us from swallowing well. We have also had our throats filled with phlegm that impedes swallowing. None of these are comfortable feelings.

One reason that someone might have this condition is because they are suffering a panic attack. Panic attacks can manifest themselves in a couple of ways that will hinder swallowing. The throat can become swelled to the point of being restrictive. Panic attacks can also cause hyperactive breathing which can make swallowing and breathing almost impossible.

The ability to swallow can be impeded by an injury to the area. This might come from blunt force trauma. It might also happen with a severe cut to the throat. These conditions sometimes heal but other times they will not. Conditions like scar tissue may have last results.

The term for suddenly being unable to swallow because of the epiglottis being pushed down by a foreign object is called choking. In order to swallow or breathe again the foreign object which is usually food must be expelled. This can be done using the Heimlich maneuver.

There are others who suffer chronic swallowing difficulties because of diseases. The main culprit for this is cancer. There are throat cancers that will results in the inability or or restrictions in swallowing. Thyroid cancer can also effect swallowing. Those who lose the ability to swallow must take in nutrition in other ways.

Allergic reactions can also swell the throat area and restrict swallowing. Allergy medicines might help these people if it is not a severe reaction. If it is severe they may have to go to a hospital. Any type of loss in swallowing ability can be disconcerting even if it is temporary.

People with a food allergy can react to it by having their throat swell. This can happen with someone who is trying a strange new food as well. Another allergic reaction is the one to bee stings. Even simple reactions to pollen can affect swallowing. For some people this is just seasonal.

The condition of difficulty in swallowing one can be a scary one to the sufferer. It can also lead to breathing challenges. The issue can be temporary or ongoing.

difficulty swallowing

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