Clinical Diagnosis · Digestive System · Easy
Dysphagia
Meaning: Difficulty swallowing.
In practice: Progressive trouble with solids then liquids is a red flag for oesophageal cancer.
Word parts
- dys- means difficult or abnormal
- -phagia means swallowing or eating
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.
Which word means: Chronically high blood pressure that strains the heart and blood vessels.
Answer: Hypertension
Which word means: Involuntary leakage of urine or faeces.
Answer: Incontinence
Words like dysphagia come up in the daily game
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