Dysphagia
ICD-10 R13.1 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of dysphagia.
Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing, which can manifest as a sensation of food getting stuck in the throat or chest, pain during swallowing (odynophagia), or the inability to swallow altogether. This condition can arise from various underlying causes, including neurological disorders (such as stroke or Parkinson's disease), structural abnormalities (like esophageal strictures or tumors), or muscular disorders (such as myasthenia gravis). Patients may present with symptoms such as coughing or choking while eating, regurgitation, or unintentional weight loss due to avoidance of eating. Clinical evaluation often includes a thorough history and physical examination, followed by diagnostic tests such as a barium swallow study or endoscopy to assess the swallowing mechanism and identify any anatomical or functional abnormalities. Dysphagia can significantly impact a patient's quality of life and nutritional status, making timely diagnosis and management essential.
Comprehensive patient history, including onset, duration, and associated symptoms of dysphagia.
Patients presenting with chronic dysphagia due to esophageal strictures or neurological conditions.
Consideration of comorbidities that may complicate dysphagia, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Acute assessment of dysphagia, including vital signs and immediate interventions.
Patients with acute onset of dysphagia following a stroke or foreign body ingestion.
Rapid evaluation and management of airway compromise due to dysphagia.
Used when assessing dysphagia in a patient with neurological conditions.
Document the patient's swallowing assessment results and any interventions performed.
Neurologists may frequently use this code in conjunction with R13.1.
R13.1 is used for dysphagia with a specified cause, while R13.0 is for unspecified dysphagia. Accurate documentation is essential to determine which code to use.
