The doctor said my mother's esophagus closed because of old age. She must eat baby food since she cannot swallow solid food. Is it possible that old age can do this?

Laura

Sure, anything is possible. A better question is whether this is the correct diagnosis.

The medical term for your mother's problem is dysphagia (dis-FAY-juh). Dysphagia means "difficulty swallowing." Some people have difficulty with solids, some with liquids, and some with swallowing liquids and solids. It sounds like your mother is primarily having dysphagia for solids.

There is a lengthy list of possible causes of dysphagia:

• Neuromuscular dysfunction, such as might occur following a stroke. There are a variety of other neuromuscular diseases that must be considered, such as achalasia, in which the coordination of the esophagus becomes markedly impaired. Patients with diabetes may also develop neurologic dysfunction of the esophagus.
  
• Inflammatory obstruction, such as esophageal irritation due to gastroesopha geal reflux disease.
  
• Obstruction due to infection, such as esophageal thrush (a yeast infection, also known as candidiasis). Infection with the herpes virus is also occasionally seen.
  
• Obstruction due to tumor. There could be a tumor of the esophagus itself, or a tumor near the esophagus, pressing on it.
  

This is not an exhaustive list, but it does illustrate the fact that an old person with dysphagia should not be told, "You can't swallow solids because of your age." A very thorough medical workup is ESSENTIAL. This workup will certainly include a complete medical history and physical examination, and may also include additional studies, such as:

• An esophagram, or "barium swallow," in which a radiologist examines the esophagus with X-rays while having the patient swallow a liquid that appears white on the X-ray.
  
• A "swallowing study." This is similar to a barium esophagram, except that the patient is asked to chew and swallow a variety of barium-laced foods (crackers, porridge and so forth). Usually, a speech therapist will also be present to help evaluate the neurologic aspects of swallowing function.
  
• An EGD. This is an examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum with a flexible fiberoptic scope. EGD stands for "esophagogastroduodenoscopy."
  

If your mother has had a very thorough workup, and yet only has the diagnosis of presbyesophagus ("old esophagus"), my recommendation is that you take her to a gastroenterologist. Good luck to both of you.