If you struggle to swallow food, liquid, or even saliva, you may have a condition called dysphagia. Difficulty swallowing can affect anyone but is more common in older adults. Left untreated, dysphagia can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and respiratory problems.
Why is it difficult to swallow?
Dysphagia can stem from a variety of causes, including neurological and muscle disorders, medication side effects, and structural issues with the mouth or esophagus. This diversity of causes underscores the complexity of the condition, and understanding them can help you navigate your own situation more effectively.
Specific reasons why you may find it difficult to swallow include:
Obstructions: Tumors, masses, or strictures in the mouth, throat, or esophagus can block food and liquids and make swallowing painful.
Vocal cord weakness or paralysis: The vocal cords open to breathe, then close for speech and swallowing. If they do not close properly, this can lead to choking on liquids.
Muscle disorders: Conditions that affect the muscles used when swallowing, such as muscular dystrophy or myositis, can lead to dysphagia. These disorders weaken the muscles, making it difficult to move food from the mouth to the stomach.
LPR (laryngopharyngeal reflux) and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease): Chronic reflux, which involves stomach contents flowing back into the esophagus and throat, can cause difficulty swallowing.
Infections: Throat infections, such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, or esophagitis, can cause swelling and pain, leading to temporary difficulty swallowing. Fungal infections like candidiasis can also affect the throat and/or esophagus, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
Medication side effects: Medications that affect muscle function or nerve signals can interfere with the coordinated swallowing process. If you’re taking a drug that causes dry mouth, you may also find it difficult to swallow.
Neuromuscular issues: Conditions that disrupt the nerve signals controlling swallowing muscles, such as strokes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), can disrupt the swallowing process, causing food or liquid to enter the airway.
An ENT doctor spends 4 years at college, 4 years at medical school, and then 5 to 7 years after that in a residency program specializing in otolaryngology — head and neck surgery. Our board-certified ENTs pass written and oral exams and participate in continuous education to maintain their certification. When you visit one of our Arizona locations, you can trust you're seeing one of the most qualified specialists in the region and that your care will be second to none.
When To See a Physician
If food is stuck in your throat and you’re having difficulty breathing or the piece of food will not pass, causing an inability to eat or drink, you may need emergency medical care. Calling 911 or going to the ER may be appropriate in that situation. If you notice recurring instances of difficulty swallowing or feel like there’s something stuck in your throat, you should see a doctor to determine the underlying cause.
Diagnosing the Cause of Difficulty Swallowing
To determine the cause of dysphagia, a physician begins by reviewing your medical history, asking about your symptoms, and performing a physical examination. Potential diagnostic tests include having you swallow a liquid containing barium that coats the esophagus. X-rays taken while you swallow can reveal if there are any obstructions or abnormalities.
A flexible nasopharyngoscopy is an awake, in-office procedure to assess the upper throat and vocal cords. You may also need to see a gastroenterologist to assess the esophagus and stomach.
Treating Dysphagia
In some cases, lifestyle modifications may be all that’s needed to make swallowing more comfortable. These could include limiting your diet to softer foods, cutting food into smaller pieces, chewing food more thoroughly before swallowing, or holding your head in a certain position while eating.
Other treatment approaches depend on the reason you’re having difficulty swallowing. These include:
Medications: For GERD, proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers can reduce stomach acid production. Antibiotics or antifungal medications can treat infections.
Swallowing therapy: A specialist may recommend that you meet with a speech-language pathologist to help strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing and improve coordination.
Surgery: If diagnostic tests reveal tumors or another severe obstruction is causing dysphagia, surgery to remove the obstruction or repair structural issues may be needed.
Being prepared will help you get the most out of your appointment. Please bring a list of medications you're currently taking and any pertinent test results—such as labs or imaging—to your appointment. Additionally, let your provider know of any drug allergies or medical conditions you have or for which you are being treated and if you've had any prior surgical procedures.
Visit Our ENT Specialists
Difficulty swallowing can significantly impact daily life. If the condition persists, an ear, nose, and throat specialist should evaluate you to address any serious underlying conditions promptly. If you’re struggling to swallow, consult an ENT specialist at Valley ENT to explore the best management options for your specific situation.