Dysphagia meaning in Urdu is nigalne mein dushwari (نگلنے میں دشواری), difficulty swallowing, a feeling that food or liquid sticks in the throat or chest, or takes extra effort to go down. Painful swallowing is called odynophagia. Dysphagia always needs a medical check, because causes range from simple reflux-related narrowing to oesophageal cancer, and early diagnosis makes treatment much easier.
Key points
- Dysphagia = nigalne mein dushwari; khana atakna.
- Throat-level (oropharyngeal) dysphagia often comes from nerve or muscle problems such as stroke.
- Chest-level (oesophageal) dysphagia often comes from strictures, reflux or tumours.
- New or worsening dysphagia, especially with weight loss, needs an endoscopy.
Table of Contents
- Dysphagia Meaning and Related Terms
- Types of Dysphagia
- Causes
- Warning Signs
- Tests
- Treatment
- Eating Tips at Home
- Frequently Asked Questions
Dysphagia Meaning and Related Terms
| English | Urdu / Roman Urdu |
|---|---|
| Dysphagia | نگلنے میں دشواری / nigalne mein dushwari |
| Odynophagia | نگلتے وقت درد / nigalte waqt dard |
| Food sticking | کھانا اٹکنا / khana atakna |
| Food pipe (oesophagus) | خوراک کی نالی |
| Choking | اچھو لگنا / uchhu lagna |
Types of Dysphagia
| Oropharyngeal (throat) | Oesophageal (chest) | |
|---|---|---|
| Feels like | Trouble starting a swallow, coughing or choking, food going into the nose | Food sticking behind the breastbone seconds after swallowing |
| Common causes | Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, muscle diseases, throat tumours | Strictures, reflux, rings, achalasia, eosinophilic oesophagitis, cancer |
| Specialist | Neurologist, ENT, speech therapist | Gastroenterologist |
Causes
- Peptic stricture from long-standing reflux; see GERD symptoms
- Schatzki ring or oesophageal web
- Achalasia: the lower valve fails to open; both solids and liquids stick
- Eosinophilic oesophagitis: allergic inflammation, often in young adults with allergies
- Oesophageal cancer: progressive dysphagia with weight loss; see oesophageal cancer diagnosis
- Infections (Candida) in people with weak immunity
- Medicines that irritate the food pipe if swallowed without water
- Stroke and neurological diseases
Warning Signs
See a doctor promptly if difficulty swallowing comes with weight loss, is getting worse, involves pain, causes food to come back up, or is accompanied by vomiting blood, black stools, hoarseness or choking. Sudden complete blockage (cannot swallow saliva) is an emergency.
Tests
- Upper GI endoscopy with biopsies: the main test for oesophageal dysphagia
- Barium swallow: shows narrowing and movement
- Oesophageal manometry: for achalasia and motility disorders
- Video swallow study: for throat-level problems
Treatment
- Oesophageal dilation for strictures and rings
- Acid-reducing medicine for reflux-related narrowing
- Dietary and steroid treatment for eosinophilic oesophagitis
- Pneumatic dilation, POEM or surgery for achalasia
- Stents and cancer treatment for malignant narrowing
- Swallowing therapy for neurological dysphagia
Dr. Omer Hassaan Aftab Ahmad evaluates swallowing problems with endoscopy and performs dilation at G-8 Markaz, Islamabad. See our esophageal dilation page.
Eating Tips at Home
- Take small bites and chew thoroughly
- Sit upright while eating and for 30 minutes after
- Choose softer foods: khichdi, daliya, daal, soft roti soaked in salan
- Avoid dry, tough foods such as dry bread or large pieces of meat until assessed
- Take tablets with a full glass of water, standing or sitting up
Urdu Mein Khulasa
ڈسفیجیا کا مطلب ہے نگلنے میں دشواری، یعنی کھانا گلے یا سینے میں اٹکنا۔ اس کی وجوہات میں تیزابیت سے نالی کا تنگ ہونا، نالی میں چھلا، اکیلیزیا، الرجی سے سوزش، فالج اور خوراک کی نالی کا کینسر شامل ہیں۔ اینڈوسکوپی سے وجہ معلوم ہوتی ہے اور اکثر نالی کو کھول کر علاج کیا جاتا ہے۔ اگر نگلنے میں دشواری بڑھ رہی ہو یا وزن کم ہو رہا ہو تو فوراً معدے کے ماہر سے رجوع کریں۔
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dysphagia in Urdu?
Dysphagia is called nigalne mein dushwari (نگلنے میں دشواری), difficulty swallowing.
Is dysphagia serious?
It can be. Many causes are treatable, but dysphagia can also be a sign of oesophageal cancer, so it should always be checked.
Can acidity cause difficulty swallowing?
Yes. Long-standing reflux can inflame and narrow the food pipe, causing food to stick.
Which doctor treats swallowing problems?
A gastroenterologist for food sticking in the chest; ENT or neurology for throat-level problems.
Can dysphagia be cured?
Many causes, such as strictures and rings, are treated effectively with dilation and medicine.
Conclusion
Difficulty swallowing is never something to ignore. A timely endoscopy usually finds a treatable cause. For assessment in Islamabad, consult Dr. Omer Hassaan Aftab Ahmad on 0336 5993116.
