Department of Speech Pathology
Language-Based Learning Disabilities
Dysphagia / Swallowing Disorder
Causes of Dysphagia
Dysphagia not a disease in the traditional sense. It’s
a swallowing disorder that may have a number of underlying causes,
including:
-
Aging. In older adults, the esophagus tends to lose
some of
the muscle strength and coordination needed to push food
into your stomach
-
Malfunctioning muscles in the mouth, throat,
or esophagus
-
Infections or irritations that obstruct or causes
narrowing of the esophagus (such as ulcers and cancer)
-
A nerve
or brain condition that weakens your mouth, tongue, or throat
muscles, or changes how those muscles coordinate (i.e., stroke, Parkinson's
disease, cerebral palsy, and others)
-
Injuries to the head, neck, or
chest
