After eating, you often regurgitate or bring up bits of food. You often experience heartburn and a bitter taste in your mouth. Until recently many experts thought the ability to swallow deteriorated naturally with age. Another type of dysphagia originates in the esophagus itself. There may be structural abnormalities, and chronic gastric reflux disease can cause the esophagus to become inflamed and abnormally narrow.
Drugs can also damage the lining of the esophagus, for example, potassium and iron supplements.
For this reason, older people with or without swallowing problems should always swallow pills with plenty of fluids and remain upright for 15 to 20 minutes. Unfortunately, many people don't realize that help exists for swallowing disorders, and the majority never seek treatment, said Ms. Martino, who also teaches a swallowing-disorders course at the University of Toronto. Your family doctor will take a careful history, including a list of your current medications, and then examine your mouth and larynx. You may be asked to swallow while the doctor observes and places a hand on your throat or listens with a stethoscope. If a swallowing disorder is suspected, you will probably be referred to a physician specializing in dysphagia and a speech pathologist, who may conduct a swallowing assessment, using specialized equipment.