Generally almost all of the diseases or disorders of
esophagus results in either pain while swallowing (odynophagia) or difficulty
in swallowing (dysphagia). Difficulty while swallowing is more common than pain
while swallowing.
Difficulty while swallowing might be for type of food like
solids, semi solids or liquids. This relationship of type of food and
difficulty while swallowing can point towards certain disorders of esophagus.
The progression of symptoms, in this case dysphagia is also
an important thing to take into consideration. Progressive dysphagia starting
from solid foods, then semi solids and then to liquid food is typical of various
esophageal disorders.
Presence or absence of constitutional symptoms like fever,
weight loss or loss of appetite may point towards a serious disorder. Occupation and social history
may contribute towards the final diagnosis of the disease.
The best initial test to come to final diagnosis for disease
of esophagus is barium swallow or barium esophagram. If the results show clear
signs of obstruction this should be followed by upper endoscopy.
Below are few esophageal disorders which might result in
difficulty in swallowing. Each disorder is discussed in detail in separate articles.
These diseases might be associated with difficulty in
swallowing or even pain while swallowing. Tests like barium swallow; upper
endoscopy and manometry are done apart from taking proper history and
understanding signs and symptoms of disease. Some of the disease may also be
associated with chest pain like diffuse esophageal spasm which can be difficult
to diagnose
.
The esophageal disorders even if when it is not cancer might
be associated with weight loss, just because patients find it difficult to eat
due to pain and difficulty swallowing rather than decrease in appetite.
Previous drug history or tolerance to cold, anemia,
personality disorder like bulimia, forced vomiting, retching may give an
important clue for coming to the final conclusion as to what is the reason for esophageal
discomfort.
This article was to give a general overview of esophageal
disorders and disease which can cause difficulty or pain while swallowing. Each
esophageal disorder is discussed in detail in a separate post.
