What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing In An Elderly Person?

Posted on Fri, 19 Aug 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 19 Aug 2016 Answered on

Sat, 10 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My 86 year old sister first has had trouble swallowing for a couple of years and now has a painful shoulder that she can no longer move. She is now complaining of a rib and hip that she thinks is out of place. She is seeing a Chiropractor for the last symptom stated. What do these symptoms indicate to you?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Arthritis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Symptoms you describe, besides difficulty swallowing, make me think about arthritis as a possible condition.

Difficulty swallowing may be related to esophageal problems such esophagitis, GERD ( gastroesophageal reflux ) etc.

Neurological disorders also may affect swallowing, but since it improved, there is nothing to worry about.

I think your sister should be evaluated for arthritis.

Please discuss with your sister's primary care Doctor about these issues.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

We all have arthritis at this stage of our lives. I became concerned when I read that these symptoms could also indicate ALS. My sister has regular checkups with her doctor and has had treatment for her esophagus, stretching, but still must crush pills in order to swallow them. She is very thin and unable to do a lot of things. Let me know if ALS is a possibility.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
ALS very unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

ALS is a difficult diagnosis to be achieved or excluded.

The main clinical features of ALS are:

-Difficulty walking, difficulty doing your normal daily activities
-Weakness in legs and feet
-Hand weakness or clumsiness
-Slurring of speech or trouble swallowing
-Muscle cramps and twitching in arms, shoulders and tongue
-Difficulty holding head up.

These symptoms and the condition in general worsen with time.

So, in my opinion, just difficulty with swallowing and shoulder pain are not indicative about ALS.

Hope I helped you.

Take care.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar