Symptom 2. Dysphagia: An Unexpected Consequence of Goiter Growth
Dysphagia, or the medical term for difficulty swallowing, is another symptom that might occur in individuals with multinodular goiter. When the thyroid gland enlarges due to the growth of nodules, it can put pressure on the esophagus, the tube connecting the throat and stomach, and interfere with the process of swallowing.
At the onset, dysphagia may present as mild discomfort while consuming food or drink. You might feel like food is stuck in your throat or chest, a sensation that can be both alarming and disconcerting.
As the condition progresses, and the goiter increases in size, the swallowing issue could become more pronounced. It might reach a point where both solid and liquid foods become challenging to swallow, and this discomfort could extend to swallowing saliva.
A particularly challenging aspect of dysphagia is its impact on nutritional intake. Difficulty in swallowing could lead to reduced food consumption and, consequently, inadequate nutritional intake. Over time, this could result in weight loss and a host of other related health issues. (2)
