Dysphagia natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Feham Tariq, MD [2], Hamid Qazi, MD, BSc [3]

Overview

If left untreated, dysphagia can potentially cause aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, or dehydration, all of which can be symptoms of dysphagia as well.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History

• The symptoms of dysphagia usually develop in any decade of life, and start with symptoms such as difficulty eating solids or drinking fluids.

Complications

• Common complications of dysphagia include:
  • Aspiration pneumonia
  • Malnutrition
  • Dehydration

Prognosis

• Depending on the extent of the disease causing dysphagia at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as good.