Dysphagia News and Research

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Dysphagia is the medical term for the symptom of difficulty in swallowing. Although classified under "symptoms and signs" in ICD-10, the term is sometimes used as a condition in its own right. Sufferers are sometimes unaware of their dysphagia.

Sauce placement shapes diners’ perceptions of food healthiness

Researchers found that placing sauces separately can make a dish appear healthier even before tasting.

9 Oct 2026

Esophageal cancer leaves a distinct metabolic signature in the gut

The study uncovers gut microbial and metabolic signatures in esophageal cancer, emphasizing lipid dysregulation and its potential role in disease progression.

1 Oct 2026

Study identifies inconsistent care routines for internal head and neck lymphedema

Internal head and neck lymphedema develops when cancer treatment damages or obstructs lymphatic drainage, causing fluid to accumulate in the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx.

28 Sep 2026

New treatment approach preserves organs, improves survival in head and neck cancer patients

Patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) whose tumors responded to neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (ICT) and who underwent less extensive surgery had high disease-free survival and organ preservation rates.

10 Sep 2026

Simple changes to surgical tools may reduce swallowing complications after neck surgery

Rice University mechanical engineers and Baylor College of Medicine neurosurgeons have identified simple changes to surgical tools that could reduce strain on the esophagus and potentially lower the risk of swallowing difficulties after neck surgery.

21 Jul 2026

Study links chronic xanthan gum consumption to colon inflammation

Xanthan gum is found almost everywhere. This food additive has thickening, stabilizing, and gelling properties and is one of the most widely used by the food industry to adjust the consistency of ice cream, yogurt, cakes, sauces, and gluten-free pasta.

13 Jul 2026

Nerve stimulation methods provide safe relief for oropharyngeal dysphagia

Dysphagia, a severe comorbidity of many neurological diseases, often lacks targeted therapies. This critical review assessed the clinical effectiveness and safety of electrical stimulation of cranial nerves for treating dysphagia, including implantable (direct nerve stimulation), minimally invasive (pharyngeal electrical stimulation, PES), and non‑invasive (transcutaneous) approaches.

30 Jun 2026

Electroacupuncture at Lianquan point restores post-stroke swallowing function

Swallowing is a complex act requiring precise coordination of the mouth, throat, and voice box. After a stroke, damage to the brain's motor cortex can disrupt swallowing-related neural commands, leaving patients unable to clear food or liquid from their throat safely.

23 Jun 2026

Children face lasting challenges after caustic esophageal injury surgery

Caustic ingestion remains a serious pediatric health problem, especially in domestic settings where corrosive substances may be improperly stored.

7 May 2026

Researchers launch phase 2 trial to test swallowing therapy for people with early Parkinson's

Swallowing difficulties, or dysphagia, affect up to 80% of people with Parkinson's disease and can lead to serious complications, including malnutrition, aspiration and reduced quality of life.

24 Nov 2025

Proton therapy and IMRT show similar outcomes in head and neck cancer trial

A new phase III clinical trial finds that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton beam therapy resulted in similar quality-of-life outcomes and low rates of side effects for people with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer.

29 Sep 2025

Mathematical model recreates swallowing and reveals causes of dysphagia

For most people, swallowing is second nature, but how does it occur, and why do some people have difficulty with it? Researchers at Kyushu University in Japan have started to tackle these questions by developing a mathematical model that recreates the muscle movements of the esophagus that occur during swallowing.

16 Sep 2025

New 3D bioprinting method can customize protein-based emulsion gels for dysphagia diets

In rapidly aging societies like Japan, the simple act of swallowing meals can be challenging for many. This condition, known as dysphagia, affects millions of people worldwide and can significantly deteriorate a person's quality of life.

22 Aug 2025

Better control of childhood EoE-associated inflammation reduces esophagus stiffening and complications

Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Children's Hospital Colorado have found that better control of chronic eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)-associated inflammation during childhood leads to less stiffening of the esophagus, resulting in fewer disease complications.

18 Aug 2025

Rice engineering student advances surgical tool design to reduce postoperative complications

Chihtong "Lily" Lee never set out to reinvent surgical tools, but her curiosity, precision and creativity led her to do just that.

7 Jul 2025

Exploring the use of genomic classifier tests in prostate cancer risk stratification

A systematic review found that while genomic classifier (GC) tests may influence risk classifications or treatment decisions for patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa), there is a need for better data on their cost-effectiveness, clinical utility, and their impact on racial and ethnic groups, particularly Black men.

20 Jan 2025

Capsule sponge test revolutionizes GERD diagnosis, reduces unnecessary endoscopies

Capsule sponge testing, a minimally invasive diagnostic tool, effectively triages gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients, reducing unnecessary endoscopies by 70% and accurately identifying high-risk cases for Barrett’s esophagus and cancer in real-world clinical settings.

1 Dec 2024

Study: GI conditions tied to intracranial aneurysm development and rupture

There is a potential connection between a diagnosis of certain gastrointestinal (GI) syndromes and the formation and rupture of intracranial (brain) aneurysms, according to research presented today at the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery's (SNIS) 21st Annual Meeting.

22 Jul 2024

New hope for stroke patients: University of Cincinnati trial tests unique tongue exercise device

The Gardner Neuroscience Institute, supported by a $660,000 NIH grant, is launching a trial to test an at-home tongue endurance exercise aimed at improving swallowing function in stroke survivors.

11 Jan 2024

Saliva analysis breakthrough: Detecting cognitive decline stages in Parkinson’s patients

Researchers used integrative metaproteogenomic analysis to show that changes in salivary microbiota and biomolecules can indicate cognitive impairment stages in Parkinson’s disease patients, offering a potential diagnostic tool.

23 Nov 2023