Swallowing problem?!

Swallowing problem?

okay its still there- hard to swallow.

Could it be that im used to chewing things with my teeth a certain way and im not used to chewing differently since my teeth are straighter with braces? Imagine swallowing something partially chewed or like chewy steak, and also imagine swallowing something where you swallow it once and it goes to the back of ur throat and then u have to swallow again. Also imagine that somethings are impossible to swallow like celery, thick liquids, it feels like im gonna choke on it.

2 months ago
also my dad thinks its in my head, how do i get it out of my head?

It's not in your head, but you need to get diagnosed. SEE BELOW: (It's not in your head)

I liked this description best on: http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/dy...

Definition:
Dysphagia is a disorder of swallowing.

Description:

Dysphagia is a disruption in the ability to move food or liquid from the mouth through the pharynx and esophagus into the stomach safely and efficiently. Swallowing disorders can occur at any point in the life span from infancy through old age. It is estimated that approximately 6,228,000 Americans over age 60 have dysphagia, and that it occurs in 32% of all patients in intensive care units. If untreated, dysphagia can result in dehydration, weight loss, malnutrition, pneumonia, and, in rare cases, death.

In order to understand dysphagia, it helps to understand the normal swallow. A normal swallow rapidly carries a bolus of food or liquid through the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus, leaving these structures substantially clear of residue at its completion. It involves a complex interaction of sensory stimuli and motor responses that encompass both voluntary and involuntary behaviors.

A normal swallow consists of four phases: the oral preparatory phase, the oral phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase.

The oral preparatory phase readies the food or liquid for swallowing. The lips close and seal to contain the material in the mouth. Solid food is chewed and mixed with saliva. The tongue gathers the liquid or solid material into a bolus and holds it. During this phase, the entry into the airway is open and nasal breathing continues.

The oral phase begins when the tongue starts to move the bolus backward toward the pharynx. It ends when the head of the bolus passes into the pharynx.

The pharyngeal phase begins when the bolus enters the pharynx and ends when it passes into the esophagus. In this phase, sensory stimuli interact with reflex and volitional movements to trigger the swallow response, which includes:

elevation and retraction of the soft palate to prevent material from entering the nose
elevation and forward movement of the hyoid and larynx, which moves them out of the path of the bolus as it travels downward, thus helping to prevent it from entering the airway below
closure of the larynx, which stops respiration momentarily and prevents the bolus from entering the airway below
retraction of the tongue base and contraction of the posterior pharyngeal wall, which build pressure to propel the bolus downward
progressive top to bottom contraction of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles, placing additional downward pressure on the bolus
opening of the pharyngoesophageal segment to allow the bolus to pass into the esophagus
The esophageal phase of the swallow begins when the bolus enters the esophagus and ends when it passes into the stomach. Muscular contractions push the bolus downward through the lower esophageal sphincter into the stomach.

Causes

Dysphagia occurs when any element of the normal swallow is disrupted. Oral structural abnormalities, muscular weakness, or incoordination may interfere with holding material in the mouth, forming it into a cohesive bolus, and propelling it backward into the pharynx. Lack of control over the material in the mouth might cause it to fall over the back of the tongue prematurely, while the airway is unprotected, or it might result in material remaining in the mouth after the swallow, when it could fall into the pharynx. If the bolus enters the pharynx before or after the swallow, while the airway is open and unprotected, there is a danger that aspiration will occur. Similarly, structural abnormalities, weakness, or incoordination in the pharynx or larynx may interfere with protection of the airway during the swallow or with the downward propulsion and emptying of the bolus into the esophagus. Finally, structural abnormalities, weakness, or incoordination in the esophagus may interfere with the progress of the bolus through the esophagus into the stomach.

Common etiologies of dysphagia include:

strokes
head injuries
cervical spinal cord injuries
progressive neurologic diseases
head and neck cancer and the surgery or radiation used to treat it
congenital syndromes and abnormalities
esophageal stenosis
esophageal tumors
esophageal motility disorders
achalasia
gastroesophageal reflux disease
Medications may also cause or exacerbate dysphagia. Antipsychotic drugs that cause extrapyramidal symptoms like tardive dyskinesia may cause dysphagia, and some anticholinergic drugs may impair swallowing ability.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of dysphagia include:

inability to control food or saliva in the mouth
residue in the mouth after the swallow
coughing during or after the swallow
gurgly or wet vocal quality associated with swallowing
unexplained weight loss
increased time to consume a meal
complaints of globus
recurring pneumonia
heartburn


What Causes Swallowing Problems?
Interruptions in this process can cause difficulty in swallowing, or dysphagia. A number of conditions may cause dysphagia, including mechanical obstruction (such as by a tumor or stricture), a motility disorder, impairment of the upper or lower esophageal sphincter, and others. Dysphagia is common among all age groups, but is especially common among the elderly.

Swallowing problems may arise from simple causes such as poor teeth, ill fitting dentures, or a common cold. One of the most common causes of dysphagia is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which occurs when stomach acid moves up the esophagus to the pharynx, causing discomfort. Other causes may include stroke or progressive neurological disorders, which may impair sensitivity, muscular coordination, or render individuals unable to control or move the tongue. The presence of a tracheostomy tube, vocal cord paralysis, tumors in the mouth, throat, esophagus, or surgery in the head, neck, or esophageal areas may also contribute to swallowing impairments.

Problems Associated with Dysphagia
Impaired swallowing can cause significant health problems. Relatively minor symptoms associated with dysphagia include drooling, the feeling that food is sticking in the throat, discomfort in the throat or chest, and the sensation of a lump in the throat. Other symptoms are more problematic, however, such as inadequate nutrition, dehydration, and weight loss due to significant dysphagia.

From: http://www.entcolumbia.org/dysphag.htm...

Also:

Urgent evaluation by a doctor is required when food becomes lodged in the esophagus for more than 15 minutes and will not pass spontaneously or with liquids.

Some people are unaware that they have swallowing problems because they compensate unconsciously by choosing foods that are easier to eat, or they eat more slowly. They are at risk for choking or having large pieces of solid food lodge in the esophagus if they let down their guard.

Read: http://www.medicinenet.com/swallowing/ar...

Hope some of this gives you dorection - Good Luck!