If you suspect that your child has been having difficulties swallowing, this comes under the medical term dysphagia, a term that describes problems encountered when moving food and drink from the mouth to the stomach, through the throat and esophagus. It is important to look out for signs of swallowing difficulties in your child and to know the possible causes of these issues in order to be aware of when to take your child to the doctor.
Signs of Dysphagia
There are many signs of dysphagia in children, making it nice and easy to notice when your kid is having difficulties! These signs include fussing and crying while feeding which can cause them to take a long time to eat. Picky eating can also be a sign of swallowing difficulties, especially when your child seems to prefer certain textures of food over others.
Difficulty breathing which can lead your child to cough or gag while eating can also be a large indicator of swallowing disorders. If your child tends to throw or spit up a lot, then this also might indicate a larger problem. The one to look for, however, is if your child is having difficult gaining weight and growing, as this is a large indicator of dysphagia.
Possible Causes
There are many possible causes of dysphagia in children, some of which are more serious than others. For example, your child may simply have an obstruction in their throat caused by a foreign object such as a small toy or coin that is making swallowing labored. Throat obstructions can also be caused by inflammation of the esophagus caused by infections.
Many reasons for swallowing difficulties come under the bracket of congenital conditions, meaning that your child will have experienced this condition from birth. Conditions such as cleft lip and palate, cerebral palsy, learning difficulties and complications from premature births can all contribute to swallowing problems.
However, sometimes swallowing issues can be an indication of something more serious that you might not yet be aware of, such as that your child is on the autistic spectrum or is developing meningitis. Rare causes of swallowing issues can include strokes and brain tumors but are unlikely to be found in children.
Testing and Solutions
Take your child to the doctor’s office if you are concerned about their swallowing. Your doctor can look into your child’s medical history and development, as well as observing them eat to see if they can narrow down the problem.
Special tests are also available, such as x-rays and endoscopic assessments which can be used if the cause of the swallowing difficulties is less obvious. To help your child in the meantime, consider using a product such as SimplyThick thickener. This will help make those thin liquids which are so essential for your child’s development (e.g., water) a little bit easier to digest.
Remember that doing your research is important, but no one is more qualified to advise you and your child than a professional. Make sure to take your child to the doctor as soon as you can if you are worried, for both their health and your own peace of mind!