Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder. During the act of swallowing, the patient experiences discomfort, often painful, while food passes through the esophagus.
Causes
The main cause of dysphagia is a disruption of the muscular innervation of the throat.
Dysphagia can occur against the background of the following diseases:
- Dermatomyositis;
- Myasthenia;
- Muscular dystrophy;
- Parkinson's disease;
- Poliomyelitis;
- Laryngeal cancer;
- Esophageal cancer;
- History of stroke;
- Esophageal achalasia.
Diagnosis of Dysphagia in Israel
The disease manifests with the most characteristic symptoms:
- Feeling of choking;
- Severe coughing;
- Increased salivation;
- Patients complain of difficulty swallowing, exerting great effort for this. Sometimes food is regurgitated into the nasopharynx.
It is also important to note that dysphagia can arise as a neuro-psychological disorder. For this reason, at Ichilov, each patient can have an individual consultation with a psychologist.
To confirm the somatic etiology of the disease, consultations will be conducted with highly qualified specialists in the treatment of dysphagia in Israel in the following specialties:
- Therapy;
- Thoracic surgery;
- Otolaryngology;
- Neurology.
Ichilov Medical Center is equipped with advanced biomedical devices and systems. To verify the diagnosis, the patient must undergo a series of necessary tests and examinations:
- Laryngoscopy;
- Esophagoscopy;
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy;
- Esophageal manometry – to assess the ability of various sections of the esophagus to contract;
- Neck ultrasound;
- X-ray examination with contrast using a barium mixture;
- Computed tomography.
Treatment of Dysphagia in Israel
At Ichilov, progressive surgical methods are available, aimed at removing the cause of swallowing disorders (for example, a tumor) or creating an alternative pathway for food passage to the stomach. For the treatment of dysphagia in Israel, thoracic surgeons use the following methods:
- Providing food intake through gastrostomy. This is used when it is impossible to restore the patient's physiological nutrition;
- Stenting. Using special cylindrical mesh stents that can self-expand. The principle of the stent is that it opens like an umbrella in the lumen of the esophagus, thereby preventing further stenosis;
- Esophagectomy. This implies that the surgeon will remove a part of the esophagus. Typically, this surgical technique is complemented by reconstructive surgeries;
- Esophagomyotomy. Using this method, the muscles of the esophageal wall will be incised. It is indicated for those patients whose food cannot pass through the lower esophageal sphincter;
- Balloon dilation. A balloon is inserted into the esophagus and then carefully inflated. This method eliminates esophageal stenosis;
- Removal of neoplasms. This involves a set of measures that includes excision of the tumor process, radiation and chemotherapy methods. Surgical techniques for treating dysphagia in Israel also include endoscopic techniques. The advantage of these methods is that the surgeon needs to make very small incisions for access, after which the patient recovers faster. The surgeon impacts the tumor using the latest technologies – mechanical, biological, chemical, and physical.