Warning Signs Of Chiari Malformation

Difficulty Swallowing

Difficulty swallowing is most common in young children, toddlers, and infants with type I or type II Chiari malformation. Infants and children may experience frequent choking when they are attempting to feed. This is because of the abnormal compression of the nerves, muscles, and tissues at the base of their head and inside their neck. It may be difficult for patients to keep their airway open at the right times. The nerves in the neck and throat may become confused and cause the epiglottis to malfunction. The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that is meant to stay closed when an individual is breathing and open when consuming food or liquids. 

Tissue compression can also adversely affect the muscles responsible for implementing the signals from the nerves. When the muscles do not contract at the proper time, the patient may intend to swallow food or liquid, but the mechanisms in their throat and neck breathe instead. Any of these malfunctions due to tissue compression from Chiari malformation can cause problems swallowing.

Get more information on the symptoms linked to Chiari malformation now.