Knowing about several conditions and diseases may not seem like a feasible thing to do for many people, but knowledge does come with power. Knowing signs and symptoms of certain diseases can help you tackle them early on. While many people know what insomnia, vertigo etc. are, only a quarter of them are aware of these particular diseases which is responsible for two of the most common issues, malnutrition and pneumonia. Dysphagia, which is a condition that makes it difficult to swallow, is much more common than you may think. Published in the Dysphagia journal, this study wanted to see how much people really know about dysphagia compared to other health issues. They found that even though lots of folks struggle with swallowing problems, they don’t know the name of the problem or what it causes. The study showed that 99% of the participants knew about insomnia, 87% knew about Vertigo, but only 25% knew about dysphagia This lack of knowledge is a big deal because it means people might not get the help they need. What Is Dysphagia? Dysphagia is a scientific term used for trouble swallowing. The Cleveland Clinic explains that it happens when something goes wrong with the muscles or nerves you use to move food and drinks from your mouth to your stomach. Sometimes, it's a problem with the shape of your throat or esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. When you can't swallow properly, food can go down the wrong way, into your lungs. This can cause a serious lung infection called pneumonia. Cleveland clinic explains that it increases the risk of pneumonia because it can lead to aspiration, where food, liquid, or saliva enters the lungs instead of the digestive tract, causing infection and inflammation. The Frontiers in Neurology 2022 study found that people who had dysphagia after a stroke were 10 times more likely to get pneumonia. Dysphagia also causes malnutrition as it makes it harder to consume enough food and fluids, potentially leading to reduced appetite, fear of eating, and a decreased enjoyment of meals, ultimately impacting nutritional intake. Is This A New Issue? To double-check what people said in the survey, the researchers looked at the records of millions of patients in hospitals. They found that dysphagia was written down in many more records than vertigo. Insomnia was the most common problem, but dysphagia was still a big issue. This means that a lot of people go to the doctor because they’re having trouble swallowing. The records back up the survey: lots of people have dysphagia. It's important to know about this problem because it affects many lives. Is Dysphagia A Symptom or A Condition The Cleveland Clinic explains that dysphagia a symptom of various health issues. These problems might involve your brain and nerves, your muscles, or something physically blocking your throat. To help with swallowing difficulties, doctors may prescribe medicine, suggest changes to how you eat, or perform certain procedures. Why Should More People Know About This? The researchers who did this study hope that more people will learn about dysphagia. They want doctors and nurses to know more about it, too. They think that if we talk about it more, people who have trouble swallowing will get help sooner. They want more money to be spent on research to find better ways to treat it. Furthermore, they want everyone to have access to good healthcare, so no one has to suffer because they can’t swallow properly. It’s important to spread the word so people get the help they need