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The Department of Head and Neck SurgerySwallowing Disorders Clinic |
Conditions Treated
- Dysphagia
- Swallowing problems after brain surgery
- Swallowing problems after head and neck surgery
- Swallowing problems after cervical spine surgery
- Swallowing problems after thoracic surgery
- Swallowing problems after stroke
- Swallowing problems from neurologic disease
- Swallowing problems from head and neck cancer
- Swallowing problems after chemoradiation therapy
- Chronic aspiration
- Esophageal stenosis
- Cricopharyngeal spasm (achalasia)
- Zenker's diverticulum
Symptoms of Abnormal Swallowing (Dysphagia)
Indications of a swallowing disorder may include:
- Inability to swallow or extensive time required to swallow
- Frequent choking on food
- Hesitancy in swallowing food
- Coughing during or immediately after eating or drinking
- Pain during swallowing
- Recurring pneumonia
- Unexplained weight loss
- Regurgitation
- Heartburn
Causes of Abnormal Swallowing (Dysphagia)
Patients may suffer from swallowing or voice difficulties for a number of reasons, including:
- Stroke or other forms of acute neurological damage
- Head and neck cancers
- Radiation therapy to the neck
- Heart surgery or other chest surgery, which may lead to vocal cord weakening or paralysis
- Trauma to the throat or larynx
- Tracheostomy tubes
- Degenerative neurological disorders such as dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- Pharyngeal and esophageal sacs and pouches (diverticulum) and narrowing (stenosis)
- Age-related changes
For more information, please visit the Swallowing Disorders Clinic page on the Department of Head and Neck Surgery website.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Telephone Number
(310) 206-6688 Appointment, information, and referral
(310) 794-4225 Academic office and information
Fax Number
(310) 825-2810
(310) 206-6688 Appointment, information, and referral
(310) 794-4225 Academic office and information
Fax Number
(310) 825-2810
PHYSICIANS & SPECIALISTS
| Physician | Specialty |
|---|---|
| Berke, Gerald MD | Otolaryngology |
| Chhetri, Dinesh Khatri MD | Otolaryngology |
| Head, Christian MD | Otolaryngology |
| Kedeshian, Paul MD | Surgery; Otolaryngology |
| Sercarz, Joel MD | Otolaryngology |
| Wang, Marilene Beth MD | Otolaryngology |
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