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Roughly, 18 million Americans have soreness or difficulty while swallowing.
Severe swallowing disorders require long-term rehabilitation or surgery. Mild swallowing problems — although easier to treat — still may affect your quality of life.
At the UPMC Swallowing Disorders Center, we treat both severe and mild swallowing conditions.
If dysphagia — the medical term for swallowing issues — goes untreated, it may lead to severe problems such as:
Swallowing disorders and related nutrition issues can be the result of:
Side effects of medical treatments
Surgery
Certain medical conditions
Chronic nervous system disorders
Autoimmune disorders
Aging
If you have concerns about swallowing and nutrition during radiation therapy for head or neck cancer, please see:
To make an appointment or learn more about treatment, call 412-647-6461 or email the UPMC Swallowing Disorders Center.
Learn what to expect at your first visit to the Swallowing Disorders Center.
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