What Causes Odynophagia?

Odynophagia is a condition in which it is painful for an individual to swallow. Odynophagia patients can experience painful sensations in any part of the mouth, throat, or esophagus. A diagnosis of odynophagia usually involves diagnosing its underlying cause as well, which must be identified for the correct treatment to be prescribed. There are many different causes of odynophagia, and they range in severity. It is important for the patient to describe to the doctor how long the pain has been going on, where the pain is located and whether it gets worse with eating or drinking.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is commonly known as GERD. It is also often referred to simply as 'acid reflux,' although occasional episodes of acid reflux do not necessarily indicate its presence. Acid reflux is a condition in which acid from the stomach comes up into the esophagus. This can damage the esophagus and cause odynophagia. The cause is often a problem with the function of the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus. Risk factors for developing gastroesophageal reflux disease include being overweight, smoking, being pregnant, and being too stressed out. It is very common, affecting up to twenty percent of the United States population.

A variety of tests can be used to diagnose GERD, including esophageal pH monitoring, upper GI endoscopy, and esophageal manometry. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is usually treated with medications, but surgery may be needed in severe cases. Dietary changes can also help tremendously. It is generally recommended for GERD patients to avoid overeating and consuming spicy or acidic foods.

Ulcers

Many individuals get ulcers in the throat or esophagus. These sores can cause pain when swallowing because food or drink aggravates them. Some potential causes of ulcers are gastroesophageal reflux disease and the chronic use of anti-inflammatory medications. Cancer treatments, infections, and certain chronic diseases can also cause them. They are diagnosed with a variety of tests, including barium swallow, esophageal endoscopy, laryngoscopy, and panendoscopy.

The good news is ulcers are very treatable. Treatment options depend on the cause of the ulcer. For example, if the problem is sensitivity to a particular type of food, the patient can make changes to their diet to correct the issue. Antibiotics or antifungal medications may be required if the cause of an ulcer is an infection. Pain relievers may be prescribed to help with odynophagia, and prescription mouthwashes can prevent the problem from recurring.

Candida Infection

Candida is a type of yeast that lives in the human body. While it is perfectly normal to have a small amount of candida inside the mouth and throat, sometimes too much candida can grow in the throat, leading to candida infection. This condition is also known as thrush, and it can cause a sore throat and painful swallowing. Another telltale symptom is white spots in the mouth and throat.

Some risk factors for thrush include taking certain medications such as antibiotics, having diabetes, and having a weak immune system. Young babies and older adults have a higher risk of getting thrush. Luckily, this type of infection is very treatable, typically with antifungal medications. These medications are often available over-the-counter, and prescription medications are an option if those do not work well enough. Certain mouthwashes can help as well.

Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is one of the least common causes of odynophagia, but it is still possible. This type of cancer is characterized by tumors that grow inside the esophagus; these tumors can affect any part of the esophagus. Risk factors include genetics, smoking, alcoholism, obesity, and chronic acid reflux. Men and African Americans are at higher risk than other groups, and this cancer usually affects individuals older than forty-five years old. Some research indicates drinking extremely hot beverages can also increase the risk of this type of cancer.

Esophageal cancer has two different forms: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is cancer in the esophageal lining, and adenocarcinoma is cancer in the esophageal glandular cells. Both types can cause odynophagia. Other symptoms include unintentional weight loss, vomiting, coughing, and frequent hiccups. If a patient has many of these symptoms or one or more risk factors, the doctor may do some tests to see if there is cancer. These tests include an endoscopy, a barium swallow, a biopsy, or a CT scan.

Common Cold

The vast majority of the time, odynophagia can be blamed on the common cold. Millions of individuals get sick with colds each year; in fact, it is typical to have a cold two or three times a year. A sore throat is often the first symptom, and the pain of one usually gets worse when swallowing. The common cold can be caused by a variety of different viruses. These viruses infect the upper respiratory system until the immune system can fight them off, which usually takes about a week. Odynophagia caused by a cold virus is usually temporary, and it is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose. Odynophagia that is persistent and chronic may have a more serious cause.