Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)
Difficulty swallowing, called dysphagia, can cause coughing, choking, or food sticking. It should be assessed urgently to prevent dehydration, weight loss, or food entering the airway.
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Quick Reference Facts
In simple words
Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, means food, drink, or saliva does not move safely or easily from the mouth through the throat and food pipe to the stomach.
It can lead to choking, food getting stuck, dehydration, weight loss, or chest infections when food or drink enters the airway. It is a symptom that needs timely assessment.
Common Causes
- Acid reflux or another food-pipe condition
- A condition affecting the brain, nerves, or muscles, such as stroke or Parkinson's disease
- Medicines, mouth or throat problems, or an obstructing food-pipe condition
- Cancer or its treatment, which requires specialist assessment
Clinical Red Flags
Seek urgent medical attention at an emergency department or primary care clinic if you present with any of the following symptoms:
- Seek emergency help if you cannot swallow saliva, have severe chest pain, trouble breathing, or feel very unwell because food is stuck.
- Get urgent advice for coughing or choking with food or drink, food sticking in the throat or chest, a wet or gurgly voice after swallowing, or breathlessness after eating.
- Arrange prompt assessment for repeated chest infections, dehydration, weight loss, or progressive difficulty swallowing.
Lifestyle & Diet Support
Sit fully upright for meals and do not rush. Do not change food or fluid textures without an individual swallowing assessment, because what is safest depends on the cause. Follow any existing speech and language therapy plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Differential Diagnosis Matrix
A clinician may ask whether the problem is with starting a swallow, solids, liquids, coughing or choking, food sticking, or pain. Speech and language therapists and dietitians may help make eating and drinking safer.
Reference Citations & Evidence Sources
Clinical Guidelines & Consensus Statements
Clinical Reviews & Textbooks
- CIT-0023National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. "Homeopathy: What You Need To Know." National Institutes of Health (2021).
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