What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia (dis-FAY-ja) is defined as a difficulty swallowing.

Dysphagia can range in severity from mild difficulty when swallowing to complete inability to eat or drink anything by mouth.  Estimates conclude that as many as 15 million Americans suffer from some level of dysphagia, with an additional 1 million people receiving a new diagnosis every year.

This section of the VitalStim website gives you an overview of dysphagia:

  • Facts about dysphagia and the conditions that can cause swallowing difficulty
  • The impact dysphagia can have
  • Dysphagia statistics
  • Understanding dysphagia and recognizing the symptoms that might indicate that someone has dysphagia
  • Resources and organizations established to help people with some of the conditions that are commonly associated with dysphagia