Causes of Dysphagia
Dysphagia not a disease in the traditional sense. It’s a swallowing disorder that may have a number of underlying causes, including:
- Aging. In older adults, the esophagus tends to lose some of the muscle strength and coordination needed to push food into your stomach
- Malfunctioning muscles in the mouth, throat, or esophagus
- Infections or irritations that obstruct or causes narrowing of the esophagus (such as ulcers and cancer)
- A nerve or brain condition that weakens your mouth, tongue, or throat muscles, or changes how those muscles coordinate (i.e., stroke, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, and others)
- Injuries to the head, neck, or chest
Common causes of dysphagia in infants and children include:
- Developmental problems stemming from premature birth or low birth weight
- Nervous system disorders, such as cerebral palsy or meningitis
- Cleft lip or palate (structural problems which make it difficult to nurse or drink from a conventional baby bottle
Contact Us
To be seen by one of our speech pathologists, you will need a referral. You or your physician can call
(585)
758-5730 to schedule an appointment.
For inpatient questions, please call (585) 275-8493. Our office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
