Differential Diagnosis for Dysphasia to Liquids

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA): Dysphasia, especially to liquids, is a common symptom of stroke, indicating potential involvement of the brain's swallowing centers.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)): These conditions can affect the brain's ability to coordinate swallowing, leading to dysphasia.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Although more commonly associated with solids, severe GERD can cause dysphagia to liquids due to esophageal irritation or stricture.
  • Esophageal motility disorders (e.g., achalasia): Conditions that affect the movement of the esophagus can lead to difficulty swallowing both liquids and solids.
• Do Not Miss diagnoses
  • Esophageal cancer: Although less common, esophageal cancer can cause progressive dysphagia, initially to solids and then to liquids, and is critical to diagnose early.
  • Myasthenia gravis: An autoimmune disorder that can lead to muscle weakness, including the muscles used for swallowing, potentially causing dysphagia to liquids.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy: A rare genetic disorder that affects the muscles used for swallowing, among others, leading to dysphagia.
  • Inclusion body myositis: A rare inflammatory muscle disease that can cause progressive muscle weakness, including dysphagia.
  • Sjögren's syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that can affect various parts of the body, including the esophagus, potentially leading to dysphagia.