Dysphagia

Question 1

What is dysphagia?

Answer 1

Struggling to swallow

Question 2

What are the neuromuscular causes of dysphagia?

Answer 2

• Muscular dystrophy
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Stroke
• Parkinsons
• MS

Question 3

What can cause narrowing of throat/oesophagus?

Answer 3

o Throat cancer, oesophageal cancer
o Sacs/rings in the oesophagus
o GORD

Question 4

What is achalasia?

Answer 4

LES fails to open up during swallowing leading to a backup of food within your oesophagus

Question 5

What investigations would you do for dysphagia?

Answer 5

• Upper GI endoscopy (OGD/gastroscopy) with biopsy if needed
• FBC
• U+Es
• LFTs
• Barium swallow
• CT scan

Question 6

What red flag symptoms would you ask for?

Answer 6

o	Weight loss
o	Vomiting
o	Bleeding
o	Changes in bowel habit (melaena)
o	Pain
o	Anaemia symptoms