What Is Dysphagia? What Causes Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is a medical term that is used to refer to difficulties with swallowing. The level of dysphagia varies. Some people have problems swallowing certain foods or liquids, while others are completely unable to swallow. It takes more time and effort to move food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. Difficulty swallowing may also be associated with pain. Persistent difficulty swallowing may indicate a serious medical condition requiring treatment.

The term “dysphagia” derives from the Greek root dys meaning “difficulty or disordered”, and phagia meaning “to eat”.

According to Medilexicon’s medical dictionary:

Dysphagia is “Difficulty in swallowing“.

Difficulty in swallowing can occur at any age, but is more common in older adults. The incidence of dysphagia is higher in the elderly, in patients who have had strokes, and in patients who are admitted to acute care hospitals or chronic care facilities. The causes of swallowing difficulties vary, and treatment depends on the cause. Dysphagia frequently arises as a complication of another health condition, such as a stroke, throat and mouth cancer or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Read more

Binge Eating: Short-Term Program Has Long-Term Benefits

A new study finds that a self-guided, 12-week program helps binge eaters stop binging for up to a year and the program can also save money for those who participate. Recurrent binge eating is the most common eating disorder in the country, affecting more than three percent of the population, or nine million people, yet few treatment options are available.

But a first-of-a-kind study conducted by researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Wesleyan University and Rutgers University found that more than 63 percent of participants had stopped binging at the end of the program – compared to just over 28 percent of those who did not participate. The program lasted only 12 weeks, but most of the participants were still binge free a year later. A second study, also published in the April issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, found that program participants saved money because they spent less on things like dietary supplements and weight loss programs.

“It is unusual to find a program like this that works well, and also saves the patient money. It’s a win-win for everyone,” said study author Frances Lynch, PhD, MSPH, a health economist at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. “This type of program is something that all health care systems should consider implementing.” Read more

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