Aphagia vs. Dysphagia — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 6, 2023
Aphagia is the inability to swallow, while dysphagia is difficulty swallowing.
Difference Between Aphagia and Dysphagia
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Aphagia is a condition characterized by a complete inability to swallow. It can be due to neurological disorders, obstructions, or trauma. Dysphagia, conversely, refers to the experience of difficulty in swallowing, which might be due to conditions affecting the muscular or nervous control of swallowing mechanisms.
Individuals with aphagia cannot initiate the act of swallowing at all, leading to a need for alternative feeding methods like tube feeding. Dysphagia sufferers may still be able to swallow but do so with discomfort or pain, requiring modifications to diet or swallowing techniques.
The causes of aphagia often relate to more severe or extensive damage to the swallowing reflex or its neurological pathways. Dysphagia is frequently a symptom of less severe conditions and may be treated with therapy, dietary changes, or medication.
Aphagia is typically a clear-cut diagnosis, indicating the complete loss of swallowing ability. Dysphagia presents in varying degrees from mild to severe, and its diagnosis may involve a range of tests to determine the severity and cause.
Both conditions require medical attention, but the management of aphagia is generally more complex due to the total inability to swallow. Dysphagia management is aimed at improving swallowing function and ensuring safety when eating and drinking.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Cannot swallow at all.
Difficulty swallowing.
Severity
Complete loss of function.
Varying levels of impairment.
Swallowing Ability
Absent
Reduced
Associated Symptoms
May require tube feeding.
May cause coughing or choking while eating.
Treatment and Management
Often involves non-oral feeding.
May include therapy and dietary adjustments.
Compare with Definitions
Aphagia
Complete loss of swallowing ability.
After the stroke, the patient suffered from aphagia and could not swallow.
Dysphagia
A condition sometimes treated with speech therapy.
She attended speech therapy to manage her dysphagia.
Aphagia
Inability to ingest food orally.
Aphagia necessitated the use of a feeding tube for nutrition.
Dysphagia
A symptom causing discomfort while eating.
Dysphagia made it painful for him to swallow even soft foods.
Aphagia
Absence of swallow function.
Aphagia made it impossible for her to take medication orally.
Dysphagia
Partial impairment of swallow reflex.
Her dysphagia was diagnosed after a barium swallow study.
Aphagia
Neurological failure to perform swallowing.
His aphagia was due to a brain injury that impaired his swallow reflex.
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing food or liquid.
The patient with dysphagia choked often during meals.
Aphagia
A condition requiring alternative feeding methods.
Because of her aphagia, she received her meals through enteral feeding.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia is difficulty in swallowing. Although classified under "symptoms and signs" in ICD-10, in some contexts it is classified as a condition in its own right.It may be a sensation that suggests difficulty in the passage of solids or liquids from the mouth to the stomach, a lack of pharyngeal sensation or various other inadequacies of the swallowing mechanism.
Aphagia
Aphagia is the inability or refusal to swallow. The word is derived from the Ancient Greek prefix α, meaning "not" or "without," and the suffix φαγία, derived from the verb φαγεῖν, meaning "to eat." It is related to dysphagia which is difficulty swallowing (Greek prefix δυσ, dys, meaning difficult, or defective), and odynophagia, painful swallowing (from ὀδύνη, odyn(o), meaning "pain").
Dysphagia
Difficulty or discomfort in swallowing, as a symptom of disease
Progressive dysphagia
Aphagia
Medicine. Inability to swallow.
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing.
Aphagia
Chiefly Physiology. Inability, failure, or refusal to eat; absence or loss of the desire or need to eat; an instance of this.
Dysphagia
(pathology) Difficulty in swallowing.
Aphagia
Loss of the ability to swallow.
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing.
Aphagia
(medicine) The condition of difficulty in swallowing.
Dysphagia
Condition in which swallowing is difficult or painful
Aphagia
Loss of the ability to swallow
Dysphagia
Swallowing disorder with varying severity.
The severity of his dysphagia varied from day to day.
Common Curiosities
What causes aphagia?
Aphagia can be caused by severe neurological damage, obstructions, or trauma to the throat.
Does aphagia require hospitalization?
Aphagia often requires hospitalization and medical intervention to manage nutrition and hydration.
Is dysphagia common in the elderly?
Yes, dysphagia is more common in the elderly due to conditions like stroke and dementia.
Are there exercises to help with dysphagia?
Yes, certain throat and swallowing exercises can improve dysphagia.
Can aphagia be temporary?
Aphagia can be temporary if caused by an acute condition that is treatable.
Are aphagia and dysphagia diagnosed the same way?
Both may use similar diagnostic tools, but the approach depends on the symptoms' severity.
Can dysphagia lead to other health issues?
Yes, dysphagia can lead to aspiration, pneumonia, and malnutrition.
Is there a cure for aphagia?
A cure for aphagia depends on its underlying cause; some cases may be managed but not cured.
Can surgery correct aphagia?
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the cause of aphagia.
What is the main difference between aphagia and dysphagia?
The main difference is that aphagia is the inability to swallow, whereas dysphagia is difficulty swallowing.
Can children have dysphagia?
Yes, children can have dysphagia, often due to developmental disorders or congenital abnormalities.
What professionals treat aphagia and dysphagia?
A team including doctors, speech-language pathologists, and nutritionists typically treats these conditions.
Does aphagia affect speech?
Aphagia does not directly affect speech, but it may be associated with conditions that can impair speech.
Are there support groups for people with dysphagia?
Yes, there are support groups for individuals with dysphagia to share experiences and coping strategies.
How is dysphagia managed?
Dysphagia is managed through dietary changes, swallowing therapies, and sometimes medication or surgery.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
