What defines dysphagia?

Dysphagia is defined as difficulty swallowing, which can arise from various disorders affecting the swallowing mechanism. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including neurological disorders, structural abnormalities, or muscular issues. Individuals with dysphagia may experience difficulty in moving food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach, which can lead to choking, aspiration, and malnutrition.

Understanding dysphagia is important in medical nutrition therapy, as it often necessitates modifications in diet and feeding strategies to ensure safe and adequate nutrition for affected individuals, hence the focus on the difficulty associated with swallowing rather than merely pain or appetite changes.