Dysphagia (, not to be confused with dysphasia) is a medical term defined as "difficulty swallowing". It derives from the Greek root dys meaning difficulty or disordered, and phagia meaning "to eat". It is a sensation that suggests difficulty in the passage of solids or liquids from the mouth to the stomach Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 7th edition, Chapter 6, p. 63 . Dysphagia is distinguised from similar symptoms including odynophagia, which is defined as painful swallowing, and globus, which is the sensation of a lump in the throat. It is also worthwhile to refer to the physiology of swallowing in understanding dysphagia.
Dysphagia is classified into two major types: oropharyngeal dysphagia (or transfer dysphagia) and esophageal dysphagia. In some patients, no organic cause for dysphagia can be found, and these patients are defined as having functional dysphagia.
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Dysphagia - Grand Rounds Presentation, UTMB, Dept. of Otolaryngology - For physicians with some patient information. Includes physiology of swallowing, symptoms, tests, causes, and bibliography.
Dysphagia Online - Provides information about swallowing difficulties for patients and professionals.
Meta Description: [ dysphagia ]
Dysphagia Research Society - Organization established to serve researchers and clinicians from different areas of inquiry who share a research interest in dysphagia and swallowing disorders.
Meta Description: [ Dysphagia Research Society ]
Dysphagia Resource Center - Resources for swallowing disorders.
Meta Description: [ The most comprehensive collection of internet links and general information rewnrding swallowing and its disorders. ]
Dysphagia, Speech and Language - Diet guidelines for people with swallowing disorders.
Meta Description: [ Vocatek is dedicated to improving awareness and consistency of care to individuals who strive to manage speech, language and swallowing disorders. ]
Dysphagia-Diet - A site for dietitians and speech language pathologist to share and get new information about the dysphagia diet.
Meta Description: [ dysphagia (swallowing and chewing problems) site ]
Dysphagia: NIDCD Health Information - Includes definition, symptoms and signs, causes, treatment, and research
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Dysphagia: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Describes the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of dysphagia.
Meta Description: [ A comprehensive resource describing the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of dysphagia from the health care experts at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). ]
European Study Group for Dysphagia and Globus - Society with members from various specialties and from different countries involved in diagnosis and treatment of oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal and esophageal dysfunctions.
Evaluating Dysphagia - American Academy of Family Physicians - Article for physicians.
Mayo Clinic- Difficulty Swallowing - Features symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and coping skills.
Meta Description: [ Difficulty swallowing can be painful and may indicate a serious medical problem.
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Swallowing and Esophageal Disorders Center - The Cleveland Clinic Foundation's Swallowing and Esophageal Disorders Center offers a coordinated, comprehensive program to treat swallowing and esophageal disorders.
Meta Description: [ digestive disease - The Cleveland Clinic Digestive Disease Center; colorectal surgery, gastroenterology, stomach disorders and other digestive diseases treated. ]
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Swallowing Disorders in Children - Includes causes, treatment, and diagnosis.
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