Symptom 11. Difficulty Swallowing: The Esophageal Obstacles of Amyloidosis
Amyloidosis complicates something as fundamental as swallowing, making this everyday function an uphill task. It’s as if an obstruction is set in your esophagus, turning the simple act of eating or drinking into a struggle.
Imagine your food pathway, the esophagus, as a well-greased slide, facilitating the smooth transit of food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach. But amyloidosis throws a wrench into this mechanism. The deposition of amyloid proteins into the esophageal tissues is like placing obstacles on this slide, making swallowing a rough ride.
This leads to an uncomfortable sensation while swallowing, medically termed dysphagia. You might feel food or liquid sticking in your throat or chest, almost as if they’re hitting roadblocks on their way down. You may even experience pain, a discomfort that accompanies each swallow, making mealtimes a dreaded affair.
But the implications of this difficulty in swallowing extend beyond the physical discomfort. It hinders nutrition intake, posing a threat to your overall health. It’s like your body being denied the fuel it needs, escalating the overall impact of the disease.
Dysphagia, this swallowing difficulty, isn’t just a solitary symptom. It’s an echo of the larger problem – Amyloidosis, reverberating through your esophageal tissues, hinting at the extensive impact of this disease on your body. (11)
