Difficulty swallowing is called

Difficulty swallowing is called

• A. Aphasia
• B. Bradykinesia
• C. Dysphagia
• D. Anosmia

Answer: (C)

Difficulty swallowing is dysphagia. This term describes trouble moving food or liquid from the mouth through the throat and into the esophagus. It isn’t about language (that would be aphasia), movement speed (bradykinesia), or sense of smell (anosmia). Dysphagia can arise from nerve or muscle problems, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or aging, and it can lead to coughing, choking, or food or liquid entering the airway. In caregiving, recognize signs like coughing during meals or a wet voice after swallowing, and respond with safer feeding practices—sitting upright, feeding slowly, offering smaller bites and softer textures—and seek evaluation from a clinician such as a speech-language pathologist to manage safety and nutrition.

Difficulty swallowing is dysphagia. This term describes trouble moving food or liquid from the mouth through the throat and into the esophagus. It isn’t about language (that would be aphasia), movement speed (bradykinesia), or sense of smell (anosmia). Dysphagia can arise from nerve or muscle problems, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or aging, and it can lead to coughing, choking, or food or liquid entering the airway. In caregiving, recognize signs like coughing during meals or a wet voice after swallowing, and respond with safer feeding practices—sitting upright, feeding slowly, offering smaller bites and softer textures—and seek evaluation from a clinician such as a speech-language pathologist to manage safety and nutrition.