Say Goodbye to Fear of Swallowing and Feeding Difficulties: Dysphagia (Difficulty Swallowing) Treatment
Don't let choking sensations, food getting stuck in your throat, or constant coughing fits overshadow your enjoyment of life. Using advanced endoscopic techniques (FEES), we pinpoint anatomical obstructions or muscle weaknesses that impair your swallowing reflex with millimeter precision; and with personalized swallowing therapies and surgical/medical solutions, we offer you a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable eating routine once again.
What is dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and why is it a life-threatening problem?
Swallowing is a highly complex reflex that occurs within seconds, involving the flawless synchronization of dozens of muscles and nerves in the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Dysphagia is the inability of food (or liquids) to safely reach the stomach due to an obstruction, muscle weakness, or nerve misalignment at any stage of this perfect system. This doesn't simply mean "difficulty eating"; the real danger is the accidental aspiration of food or water into the trachea (lungs). This aspiration leads to recurrent and potentially fatal pneumonia attacks. Our goal at the clinic is to instantly pinpoint the exact location of the swallowing difficulty (in the mouth, throat, or esophageal sphincter) and to provide our patients with a safe feeding pathway while protecting their lungs.
- People who cough constantly or seem to choke while eating or drinking.
- Those who feel food getting stuck in their throat or the back of their rib cage
- Those who experience pain when swallowing or who have to swallow repeatedly to get even a single bite to swallow.
- Those who experience a decline in swallowing ability after neurological diseases (stroke, Parkinson's, MS, Alzheimer's).
- Individuals who rapidly lose weight, become weak, and avoid social situations due to a fear of eating.
A safe swallow is not just about nourishment; it's about holding on to life and your loved ones.
I am very familiar with the fear in the eyes of my patients who have difficulty swallowing, and especially their families who care for them: 'Will they choke again?' As Dr. Nurten Küçük, my approach to dysphagia is to eliminate this fear not through guesswork, but through scientific data. In our clinic, we use the gold standard FEES (Endoscopic Swallowing Assessment) test, where we record the swallowing moment second by second with a camera while giving the patient colored foods of different consistencies. If the problem is a mechanical narrowing or a swallowing pocket (diverticulum), we open it permanently with microsurgery. If the problem is muscle and nerve weakness, we teach the patient the correct head positions, swallowing maneuvers, and consistency-enhancing diets, enabling them to eat safely without a single drop entering their lungs.
FEES (Endoscopic Swallowing Test)
A thin, flexible camera is inserted through the nose, and the patient is given blue/green colored foods (water, yogurt, crackers) to eat. Whether or not the food enters the trachea is instantly diagnosed on the screen.
Swallowing Therapy and Maneuvers
Based on the diagnosed muscle weakness, the patient (and their caregiver) are taught safe swallowing techniques (such as jaw-to-chest maneuver) and specific, personalized exercises to strengthen the swallowing muscles.
Dietary Design and Surgery
The patient's daily menu is designed based on the consistency (liquid, puree, solid) they can swallow safely. If an anatomical narrowing is detected, the obstruction is completely removed with microsurgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
I cough a lot when I drink water, but I have no problem with solid foods. Is this normal?
This is the most common and most dangerous condition for the lungs in people with dysphagia. Water is a liquid that flows very quickly down the throat and is difficult to control. Even a millisecond delay or loss of sensation in your swallowing reflex can cause water to enter your windpipe (aspiration). Solid foods move more slowly, making them easier for the muscles to handle. In this case, slightly thickening waters and soups with special powders from the pharmacy (bringing them to a nectar consistency) is a life-saving solution.
Can age-related difficulty swallowing (presbyphagia) be treated?
As we age, our swallowing muscles, just like our arm and leg muscles, atrophy, lose strength, and our reflexes slow down. This is a natural process, but it is not hopeless. Through swallowing therapies, food consistency adjustment strategies, and safe swallowing (head) positions, we can establish a highly comfortable dietary regimen for our elderly patients, minimizing the risk of pneumonia.
I always feel a lump (or something stuck) in my throat when swallowing; could this be dysphagia?
If you experience no choking or blockage while eating or drinking, but only feel a "feather or lump" in your throat when swallowing during the day, this is not true dysphagia but a "globus" sensation. It is usually caused by gastric reflux (acid burn), stress, or muscle tension. In true dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), the patient physically struggles to swallow food or water.
Will I experience pain or radiation during the FEES test?
No, the FEES test is a completely painless and radiation-free (X-ray-free) procedure. While sitting in a clinic chair, your throat is examined with a thin, soft camera; you are only asked to swallow colored foods provided by your doctor. Because no anesthetic or dyes are used, it is an extremely comfortable and reliable analysis method.
Take the first step towards an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment.
For an initial consultation, examination, and personalized treatment plan, please contact us immediately.