One in 25 American adults struggles with swallowing disorders, a potentially serious problem that can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia due to food getting into your lungs. The exceptional board-certified doctors at Beach Cities ENTS in Torrance and El Segundo, CA have extensive experience performing the tests needed to get to the underlying cause and provide a customized treatment for your swallowing disorder. To get the help you need, call one of our South Bay ENT offices or book an appointment online today.
What Causes a Swallowing Disorder?
Swallowing disorders include problems such as difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), pain when swallowing, or not being able to swallow. You may have trouble swallowing liquid, food, or both.
If you have a swallowing problem, you're at risk of nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and choking.
You're more likely to develop swallowing problems as you get older. Age-related changes such as loss of muscle mass and strength, reduced range of motion, and diminished saliva can all affect your ability to swallow.
A number of health conditions also cause swallowing disorders, including:
- Dry mouth
- Weak throat muscles
- Weak esophageal muscles
- Narrowed esophagus
- Esophageal tumor
- Vocal cord paralysis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Neurological disorders or damage
- Mouth and throat cancers
- Zenker's diverticulum
- Esophageal dysphagia
Esophageal dysphagia occurs when food gets stuck at the base of your throat or in your chest. Oropharyngeal dysphagia develops when weak throat muscles make it hard to move food into your throat and esophagus.
What Symptoms Develop Due to Swallowing Disorders?
In addition to difficulty swallowing, people with a swallowing disorder may experience symptoms, such as:
- Pain when swallowing
- Drooling
- Hoarseness
- Regurgitation
- Frequent heartburn
- Recurring lung infections
- Coughing or gagging when swallowing
You may also lose weight even though you're not trying to diet.
Beach Cities ENTS Reviews
Very knowledgeable and personable - She has been seeing our son since he was one year old for ongoing ENT-related issues. She has helped us navigate complicated issues and seems to favor lowest level of intervention medically required, which we prefer. She always seems genuinely happy to see her patients and she is good with him. We will continue to see her only as long as she is practicing.
A++
Dr. Levine was great. My Son had surgery and he made us feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire process. He even called on a Sunday to see how he was doing. He was professional, caring, and took the time to answer all of our questions. I am in healthcare and am really particular. The office staff was also friendly, welcoming, and efficient, making every visit a pleasant experience. I highly recommend Dr.Levine and his entire team.
I highly recommend the clinic staff for the great job and their passions that they show to their patients, in and out! thank you guys!!!
Excellent. Got in at my exact scheduled time. Staff is awesome.
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Total Reviews
5
Average Rating
Frequently Asked Questions
When is difficulty swallowing a reason to go to the ER vs. schedule an ENT appointment?
Go to the emergency room immediately if you are choking on food that won't dislodge, have sudden inability to swallow saliva, experience chest pain after swallowing, or have difficulty breathing associated with swallowing. Schedule an ENT appointment if you've had persistent difficulty swallowing solids or liquids for more than a week or two, or if swallowing is painful, causes regurgitation, or leads to unintentional weight loss.
What types of swallowing disorders does Beach Cities ENT evaluate and treat?
We evaluate swallowing problems arising from the throat and upper esophagus, including pharyngeal dysphagia, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, Zenker's diverticulum, and swallowing difficulty related to conditions like vocal cord paralysis or head and neck cancer. We also work with speech-language pathologists who specialize in swallowing rehabilitation for appropriate patients.
Will I need a swallowing study, and what does that involve?
Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend a modified barium swallow study or a flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) — a procedure performed in our office in which a thin scope visualizes the throat while you swallow different consistencies of food and liquid. These studies help identify exactly where and why swallowing is breaking down, which guides treatment planning.
Can swallowing disorders be treated without surgery?
Many swallowing disorders respond well to non-surgical treatment — including swallowing therapy with a speech-language pathologist, dietary modifications, and management of contributing conditions like reflux. When a structural problem is identified (such as cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction or a Zenker's diverticulum), a minimally invasive procedure may be recommended.
Does insurance cover swallowing disorder evaluation at Beach Cities ENT?
Yes. Evaluation for dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is covered as medically necessary under most insurance plans. This includes office visits, endoscopic procedures, and referrals for swallowing therapy. We accept most major insurance plans and will verify coverage when you call to schedule.
How Are Swallowing Disorders Treated?
Your doctor at Beach Cities ENTS may perform one or more diagnostic tests to accurately diagnose the cause of your swallowing disorder.
You may need an endoscopic exam, so your doctor can see down your throat and take biopsies to test for inflammation, tumors, or other problems. Other types of diagnostic tests examine your throat while you swallow or test muscle contraction and strength.
Once you have a diagnosis, your Beach Cities ENTS doctor will develop an individualized treatment plan to meet your unique needs.
If age-related changes are the primary factor contributing to your swallowing disorder, the team at Beach Cities ENTS offers lifestyle tips to help you overcome the problem.
Nonsurgical treatment options include medications, therapy to learn swallowing techniques, and exercises to coordinate the muscles used during swallowing. Problems such as a narrowed esophagus and blockages often require surgery.
Don't struggle with a swallowing disorder. If you struggle to swallow comfortably and live near Torrance or El Segundo, CA, get the help you need by calling Beach Cities ENTS or scheduling an appointment online.
