Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Functional and Neurological Disorders
Number of Conditions: 5
Dysphagia (Difficulty Swallowing)
Specialty: Nose and Throat
Category: Trauma and Injury
Sub-category: Functional and Neurological Disorders
Symptoms:
difficulty swallowing food or liquids; painful swallowing; sensation of food getting stuck in the throat or chest; choking or coughing while eating or drinking; unexplained weight loss
Root Cause:
Dysfunction in the muscles or nerves involved in swallowing, leading to impaired swallowing mechanics or blockage.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Patient history and physical examination. Barium swallow test (esophagram). Endoscopy. Manometry (measuring esophageal muscle contractions). Modified barium swallow (MBS)
Treatment:
Dietary changes (e.g., thickening liquids, soft foods). Speech and swallowing therapy (to improve coordination and strength). Medications for associated conditions (e.g., GERD). Surgery if caused by anatomical obstruction (e.g., dilation of strictures).
Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for GERD-related dysphagia (e.g., omeprazole ). Anticholinergics (e.g., hyoscyamine ) for neurogenic causes. Muscle relaxants (e.g., baclofen ) for esophageal spasms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, especially in older adults; affects about 16-22% of the general population.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Aging, stroke, neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s, ALS), GERD, head and neck cancer, esophageal strictures.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can be managed or treated based on the underlying cause; chronic conditions may require ongoing management.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, respiratory infections.
Globus Sensation
Specialty: Nose and Throat
Category: Trauma and Injury
Sub-category: Functional and Neurological Disorders
Symptoms:
sensation of a lump or foreign body in the throat; no difficulty swallowing; throat tightness; increased awareness of the throat (especially when swallowing or speaking)
Root Cause:
Often related to muscle tension, reflux, or anxiety; typically benign with no structural cause.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Thorough clinical history and physical examination. Laryngoscopy (to rule out structural issues). Sometimes, referral for a psychological assessment if stress or anxiety is suspected.
Treatment:
Reassurance, especially if related to anxiety. Speech therapy to address muscle tension. Treatment of underlying causes (e.g., GERD or post-nasal drip).
Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for reflux-related symptoms (e.g., omeprazole ). Antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs) if linked to anxiety (e.g., sertraline , duloxetine ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects up to 45% of the general population at some point; more common in people with anxiety or GERD.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Stress, anxiety, GERD, postnasal drip, esophageal motility disorders.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Typically benign with good prognosis once underlying causes are addressed.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare, but persistent symptoms may affect quality of life.
GERD with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)
Specialty: Nose and Throat
Category: Trauma and Injury
Sub-category: Functional and Neurological Disorders
Symptoms:
heartburn; hoarseness; sore throat; chronic cough; throat clearing; dysphagia (difficulty swallowing); regurgitation of acid into the mouth
Root Cause:
Stomach acid or other digestive enzymes reach the larynx and pharynx, irritating the mucosal lining and causing inflammation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Patient history and symptom review. Laryngoscopy to visualize damage to the throat. 24-hour pH monitoring (for acid levels). Barium swallow or endoscopy for structural abnormalities.
Treatment:
Lifestyle changes (e.g., weight loss, avoiding large meals before bedtime). Medications such as PPIs or H2 blockers. Surgery in severe cases (e.g., Nissen fundoplication).
Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for acid suppression (e.g., omeprazole , pantoprazole ). H2 blockers (e.g., ranitidine) to reduce stomach acid. Antacids for symptom relief (e.g., calcium carbonate).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Around 20% of adults experience GERD symptoms; LPR is found in 10-50% of GERD patients.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, certain foods (e.g., spicy, fatty, or acidic foods), pregnancy, hiatal hernia.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Typically manageable with medications and lifestyle changes, but severe or untreated GERD/LPR can lead to esophageal damage.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic laryngitis, esophageal stricture, Barrett's esophagus, aspiration pneumonia, vocal cord damage.
Vocal Cord Dysfunction
Specialty: Nose and Throat
Category: Trauma and Injury
Sub-category: Functional and Neurological Disorders
Symptoms:
shortness of breath (especially during exertion); noisy breathing (stridor); coughing; sensation of throat tightness; difficulty breathing in, but not out
Root Cause:
The vocal cords paradoxically close during inhalation, leading to airway obstruction.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history and symptoms review. Laryngoscopy or flexible fiber-optic endoscopy during episodes. Pulmonary function tests to differentiate from asthma.
Treatment:
Breathing exercises and speech therapy. Relaxation techniques to reduce stress. Avoidance of triggers (e.g., irritants, stress, exercise).
Medications:
No specific medications for VCD, but bronchodilators may be used to rule out asthma (e.g., albuterol ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, but often misdiagnosed as asthma; estimated 2-3% of those with asthma may actually have VCD.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Anxiety, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stress.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases are manageable with treatment; symptoms may recur with stress or triggers.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe cases can cause respiratory distress or airway obstruction.
Muscle Tension Dysphonia
Specialty: Nose and Throat
Category: Trauma and Injury
Sub-category: Functional and Neurological Disorders
Symptoms:
hoarseness or changes in voice quality; voice fatigue after speaking for a short time; sensation of tightness or strain in the throat; reduced vocal range; pain or discomfort when speaking
Root Cause:
Excessive tension in the muscles surrounding the larynx, leading to abnormal voice production.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Voice assessment and history. Laryngoscopy to exclude organic causes. Speech-language evaluation to assess voice function.
Treatment:
Voice therapy (speech-language therapy). Relaxation techniques and stress management. Vocal rest and hydration
Medications:
No specific medications, but in cases of associated anxiety, SSRIs (e.g., sertraline ) may be considered.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, particularly among professional voice users (e.g., teachers, singers).
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High vocal demands, stress, anxiety, poor vocal technique.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good prognosis with therapy; most individuals improve with voice therapy and behavioral changes.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic voice problems if untreated, vocal cord nodules or polyps in severe cases.