The Pulse | Monday, February 18, 2019

Word of the Week: Odynophagia

This week we are highlighting “Odynophagia” as the Word of the Week. As always, all of the terms and definitions are sourced from our very own SGNA GI/Endoscopy Nursing Review Course Certification Study Manual, 3rd Edition (2016).

Odynophagia is pain on swallowing that can occur from multiple conditions that result in inflammation, erosion or irritation in the tissues of the mouth, throat or esophagus.

Etiology: Chronic painful swallowing may be related to:

• Early signs of esophageal cancer
• Candidiasis infection
• GERD
• HIV esophagitis
• CMV (cytomagaly virus)
• Herpetic esophagitis
• Ulcers caused by untreated GERD
• Long term use of anti-inflammatory drugs
• Biphosphates (osteoporosis)
• Antibiotics (doxycyline)
• Radiation therapy

Diagnosis:

• Endoscopy
• Barium swallow
• EGD with culture
• Virus tissue culture

Treatment dependent on the cause:

• Medications such as: PPIs, Carafate, triple therapy (maalox, benadryl and lidocaine swish and swalllow)
• Antacids
• Soft diet
• Topical anesthesia
• Antifungal agents for Candida
• Steroids for HIV
• Ganciclovir for CMV