Final answer:
Trauma, scarring from chemical damage, cancer, fistula in the trachea, and allergies can cause dysphagia, which is difficulty in swallowing. Infections like diphtheria can worsen this by obstructing the airway, necessitating intubation, and by causing nerve damage that affects swallowing function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Trauma to the throat, chemical damage resulting in scarring, cancer, a fistula in the trachea, and allergies can all potentially lead to a condition known as dysphagia, which is difficulty in swallowing. Such conditions may harm the structure or function of the throat and esophagus, impeding the normal swallowing process. In the case of diseases like diphtheria, the development of a pseudomembrane can obstruct the pharynx or trachea, leading to potential suffocation. Intubation might be necessary to maintain an open airway. Chemical spills that come into contact with food or other items that are ingested could also lead to internal scarring, affecting swallowing.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the spread of toxins, as with diphtheria, can result in myocarditis or nerve damage, further complicating the act of swallowing by impairing the function of muscles and nerves involved in the process. Therefore, in the presence of such damage or changes within the throat or related structures, dysphagia of varying severity can occur.