Swallowing

When you swallow, you are chewing food and moving it to the esophagus, a tube that connects to the stomach. Dysphagia, the medical term for difficulty swallowing, is characterized by the sensation of food or liquid getting stuck in the throat or chest. There are numerous factors that can cause swallowing difficulty, most of them…

Swallowing problems can happen in all age groups, but are more common in the elderly. Normal swallowing function involves moving food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach, while keeping it out of the windpipe. Swallowing difficulties can lead to weight loss and even pneumonia when severe.  Fortunately, they are often treatable with therapy…

What is eosinophilic esophagitis and what are the usual symptoms? Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic condition that affects the esophagus, the swallowing passage which connects the mouth to the stomach. As the name implies, the hallmark of the condition is the finding of a high number of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell,…

Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing In order to determine what is causing your swallowing problems, your doctor may order a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, known as FEES. This test allows your doctor to identify what part of the swallowing process is causing your swallowing disorder. In addition to determining what part of your throat…

Transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that utilizes an ultra thin endoscope inserted through the nasal passages to examine the esophagus and evaluate patients experiencing acid reflux, dysphagia, chronic cough and globus sensation (the feeling of a lump in the throat). It is similar to a traditional upper endoscopy but is performed…

Speech-language pathologists (SLP) are highly qualified professionals who are licensed in the evaluation and treatment of articulation, language, stuttering, voice, cognition and swallowing disorders. Within an ENT clinic, they typically provide rehabilitation services related to voice therapy (ex, for hoarseness) and swallowing therapy. Our ENT physicians and laryngologist (ENT voice and swallowing subspecialist) work alongside…

A diverticulum is a sac or pocket that forms on a portion of the body. A Zenker’s diverticulum is a pouch that develops on the pharynx, in the upper part of the swallowing passage. It may trap food, causing difficulty or pain when swallowing. Other side effects include bad breath, regurgitation, coughing, unexplained weight loss,…