Many conditions can make it hard for you to swallow. In general, swallowing difficulties—also calleddysphagia—fall into distinct categories based on the part of the swallowing process that has been disrupted. This is because swallowing involves the brain, tongue, pharynx, esophagus, and many other structures of the body and physiological processes.
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Swallowing Difficulties
Difficulty swallowing may manifest in several different ways, including:
If you are having a hard time swallowing, you should see a doctor right away to avoid complications like aspiration (inhaling food into your lungs) andpneumonia, and to reduce your risk of choking.
Causes
If this is the first time you’ve had a hard time swallowing, and no significant event has occurred to cause this problem, it is more likely to be an infection or the progression of a chronic condition you already have, rather than a neurological problem, such as a stroke.
All of the following conditions have been known to cause swallowing difficulties.
Infections
Disorders That Affect the Esophagus
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Neurological Disorders and Problems With Weak Muscles
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Treatment
Your treatment will depend on what, specifically, is making it hard for you to swallow. For example, if you have anatomical problems, such as cleft lip palate, they can often be corrected surgically.
Conditions such as GERD can be treated with medication,while some infections just need to run their course or be treated with antibiotics. In rare or severe cases, swollen tonsils can be treated with steroids or surgically removed to help with swallowing difficulties.
No matter what is making it hard for you to swallow, the following measures can help you go about your day and stay safe:
Additionally, if symptoms of difficulty with swallowing last more than two weeks, make sure you see a doctor to determine if a tumor or cancer is present.
While dysphagia can be a dangerous condition, many of the things that make it hard to swallow are temporary and/or can be treated.
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20 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Matsuo K, Palmer JB.Anatomy and physiology of feeding and swallowing: normal and abnormal.Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2008;19(4):691-707, vii. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2008.06.001Yeom J, Song YS, Lee WK, Oh BM, Han TR, Seo HG.Diagnosis and clinical course of unexplained dysphagia.Ann Rehabil Med. 2016;40(1):95-101. doi:10.5535/arm.2016.40.1.95Hersi K, Kondamudi NP.Meningitis. StatPearls.Abdallah C.Acute epiglottitis: trends, diagnosis and management.Saudi J Anaesth. 2012;6(3):279–281. doi:10.4103/1658-354X.101222Peeling RW, Mabey D, Kamb ML, Chen XS, Radolf JD, Benzaken AS.Syphilis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17073. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.73Balfour HH, Dunmire SK, Hogquist KA.Infectious mononucleosis.Clin Transl Immunology. 2015;4(2):e33. doi:10.1038/cti.2015.1Clarrett DM, Hachem C.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Mo Med.Smith MS.Diagnosis and management of esophageal rings and webs.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y).Martinucci I, de Bortoli N, Russo S, et al.Barrett’s esophagus: from pathophysiology to treatment.World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2016;7(2):190–206. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i2.190Gomez Torrijos E, Gonzalez-Mendiola R, Alvarado M, et al.Eosinophilic esophagitis: review and update.Front Med (Lausanne). 2018;5:247. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00247Søreide JA, Viste A.Esophageal perforation: diagnostic work-up and clinical decision-making in the first 24 hours.Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2011;19:66. doi:10.1186/1757-7241-19-66Zarei S, Carr K, Reiley L, et al.A comprehensive review of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Surg Neurol Int. 2015;6:171. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.169561Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E.Multiple sclerosis: pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy.Cell J. 2017;19(1):1–10. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4867O’Neill OM, Johnston BT, Coleman HG.Achalasia: a review of clinical diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment and outcomes.World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(35):5806–5812. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i35.5806Statland JM, Ciafaloni E.Myasthenia gravis: five new things.Neurol Clin Pract. 2013;3(2):126–133. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0b013e31828d9fecMantegazza R, Bernasconi P.Inflammatory myopathies: dermatomyositis, polymyositis and inclusion body myositis. Madame Curie Bioscience Database.O’Shea TM.Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cerebral palsy.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2008;51(4):816–828. doi:10.1097/GRF.0b013e3181870ba7Duong S, Patel T, Chang F.Dementia: what pharmacists need to know.Can Pharm J (Ott). 2017;150(2):118–129. doi:10.1177/1715163517690745Nuño-Guzmán CM, García-Carrasco D, Haro M, Arróniz-Jáuregui J, Corona JL, Salcido M.Zenker’s diverticulum: diagnostic approach and surgical management.Case Rep Gastroenterol. 2014;8(3):346–352. doi:10.1159/000369130Badillo R, Francis D.Diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2014;5(3):105-112. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v5.i3.105Additional ReadingNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Dysphagia.University of Maryland Medical Center.Swallowing disorders.
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Matsuo K, Palmer JB.Anatomy and physiology of feeding and swallowing: normal and abnormal.Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2008;19(4):691-707, vii. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2008.06.001Yeom J, Song YS, Lee WK, Oh BM, Han TR, Seo HG.Diagnosis and clinical course of unexplained dysphagia.Ann Rehabil Med. 2016;40(1):95-101. doi:10.5535/arm.2016.40.1.95Hersi K, Kondamudi NP.Meningitis. StatPearls.Abdallah C.Acute epiglottitis: trends, diagnosis and management.Saudi J Anaesth. 2012;6(3):279–281. doi:10.4103/1658-354X.101222Peeling RW, Mabey D, Kamb ML, Chen XS, Radolf JD, Benzaken AS.Syphilis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17073. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.73Balfour HH, Dunmire SK, Hogquist KA.Infectious mononucleosis.Clin Transl Immunology. 2015;4(2):e33. doi:10.1038/cti.2015.1Clarrett DM, Hachem C.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Mo Med.Smith MS.Diagnosis and management of esophageal rings and webs.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y).Martinucci I, de Bortoli N, Russo S, et al.Barrett’s esophagus: from pathophysiology to treatment.World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2016;7(2):190–206. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i2.190Gomez Torrijos E, Gonzalez-Mendiola R, Alvarado M, et al.Eosinophilic esophagitis: review and update.Front Med (Lausanne). 2018;5:247. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00247Søreide JA, Viste A.Esophageal perforation: diagnostic work-up and clinical decision-making in the first 24 hours.Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2011;19:66. doi:10.1186/1757-7241-19-66Zarei S, Carr K, Reiley L, et al.A comprehensive review of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Surg Neurol Int. 2015;6:171. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.169561Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E.Multiple sclerosis: pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy.Cell J. 2017;19(1):1–10. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4867O’Neill OM, Johnston BT, Coleman HG.Achalasia: a review of clinical diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment and outcomes.World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(35):5806–5812. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i35.5806Statland JM, Ciafaloni E.Myasthenia gravis: five new things.Neurol Clin Pract. 2013;3(2):126–133. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0b013e31828d9fecMantegazza R, Bernasconi P.Inflammatory myopathies: dermatomyositis, polymyositis and inclusion body myositis. Madame Curie Bioscience Database.O’Shea TM.Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cerebral palsy.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2008;51(4):816–828. doi:10.1097/GRF.0b013e3181870ba7Duong S, Patel T, Chang F.Dementia: what pharmacists need to know.Can Pharm J (Ott). 2017;150(2):118–129. doi:10.1177/1715163517690745Nuño-Guzmán CM, García-Carrasco D, Haro M, Arróniz-Jáuregui J, Corona JL, Salcido M.Zenker’s diverticulum: diagnostic approach and surgical management.Case Rep Gastroenterol. 2014;8(3):346–352. doi:10.1159/000369130Badillo R, Francis D.Diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2014;5(3):105-112. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v5.i3.105Additional ReadingNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Dysphagia.University of Maryland Medical Center.Swallowing disorders.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Matsuo K, Palmer JB.Anatomy and physiology of feeding and swallowing: normal and abnormal.Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2008;19(4):691-707, vii. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2008.06.001Yeom J, Song YS, Lee WK, Oh BM, Han TR, Seo HG.Diagnosis and clinical course of unexplained dysphagia.Ann Rehabil Med. 2016;40(1):95-101. doi:10.5535/arm.2016.40.1.95Hersi K, Kondamudi NP.Meningitis. StatPearls.Abdallah C.Acute epiglottitis: trends, diagnosis and management.Saudi J Anaesth. 2012;6(3):279–281. doi:10.4103/1658-354X.101222Peeling RW, Mabey D, Kamb ML, Chen XS, Radolf JD, Benzaken AS.Syphilis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17073. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.73Balfour HH, Dunmire SK, Hogquist KA.Infectious mononucleosis.Clin Transl Immunology. 2015;4(2):e33. doi:10.1038/cti.2015.1Clarrett DM, Hachem C.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Mo Med.Smith MS.Diagnosis and management of esophageal rings and webs.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y).Martinucci I, de Bortoli N, Russo S, et al.Barrett’s esophagus: from pathophysiology to treatment.World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2016;7(2):190–206. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i2.190Gomez Torrijos E, Gonzalez-Mendiola R, Alvarado M, et al.Eosinophilic esophagitis: review and update.Front Med (Lausanne). 2018;5:247. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00247Søreide JA, Viste A.Esophageal perforation: diagnostic work-up and clinical decision-making in the first 24 hours.Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2011;19:66. doi:10.1186/1757-7241-19-66Zarei S, Carr K, Reiley L, et al.A comprehensive review of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Surg Neurol Int. 2015;6:171. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.169561Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E.Multiple sclerosis: pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy.Cell J. 2017;19(1):1–10. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4867O’Neill OM, Johnston BT, Coleman HG.Achalasia: a review of clinical diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment and outcomes.World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(35):5806–5812. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i35.5806Statland JM, Ciafaloni E.Myasthenia gravis: five new things.Neurol Clin Pract. 2013;3(2):126–133. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0b013e31828d9fecMantegazza R, Bernasconi P.Inflammatory myopathies: dermatomyositis, polymyositis and inclusion body myositis. Madame Curie Bioscience Database.O’Shea TM.Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cerebral palsy.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2008;51(4):816–828. doi:10.1097/GRF.0b013e3181870ba7Duong S, Patel T, Chang F.Dementia: what pharmacists need to know.Can Pharm J (Ott). 2017;150(2):118–129. doi:10.1177/1715163517690745Nuño-Guzmán CM, García-Carrasco D, Haro M, Arróniz-Jáuregui J, Corona JL, Salcido M.Zenker’s diverticulum: diagnostic approach and surgical management.Case Rep Gastroenterol. 2014;8(3):346–352. doi:10.1159/000369130Badillo R, Francis D.Diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2014;5(3):105-112. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v5.i3.105
Matsuo K, Palmer JB.Anatomy and physiology of feeding and swallowing: normal and abnormal.Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2008;19(4):691-707, vii. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2008.06.001
Yeom J, Song YS, Lee WK, Oh BM, Han TR, Seo HG.Diagnosis and clinical course of unexplained dysphagia.Ann Rehabil Med. 2016;40(1):95-101. doi:10.5535/arm.2016.40.1.95
Hersi K, Kondamudi NP.Meningitis. StatPearls.
Abdallah C.Acute epiglottitis: trends, diagnosis and management.Saudi J Anaesth. 2012;6(3):279–281. doi:10.4103/1658-354X.101222
Peeling RW, Mabey D, Kamb ML, Chen XS, Radolf JD, Benzaken AS.Syphilis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17073. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.73
Balfour HH, Dunmire SK, Hogquist KA.Infectious mononucleosis.Clin Transl Immunology. 2015;4(2):e33. doi:10.1038/cti.2015.1
Clarrett DM, Hachem C.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Mo Med.
Smith MS.Diagnosis and management of esophageal rings and webs.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y).
Martinucci I, de Bortoli N, Russo S, et al.Barrett’s esophagus: from pathophysiology to treatment.World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2016;7(2):190–206. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i2.190
Gomez Torrijos E, Gonzalez-Mendiola R, Alvarado M, et al.Eosinophilic esophagitis: review and update.Front Med (Lausanne). 2018;5:247. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00247
Søreide JA, Viste A.Esophageal perforation: diagnostic work-up and clinical decision-making in the first 24 hours.Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2011;19:66. doi:10.1186/1757-7241-19-66
Zarei S, Carr K, Reiley L, et al.A comprehensive review of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Surg Neurol Int. 2015;6:171. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.169561
Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E.Multiple sclerosis: pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy.Cell J. 2017;19(1):1–10. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4867
O’Neill OM, Johnston BT, Coleman HG.Achalasia: a review of clinical diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment and outcomes.World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(35):5806–5812. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i35.5806
Statland JM, Ciafaloni E.Myasthenia gravis: five new things.Neurol Clin Pract. 2013;3(2):126–133. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0b013e31828d9fec
Mantegazza R, Bernasconi P.Inflammatory myopathies: dermatomyositis, polymyositis and inclusion body myositis. Madame Curie Bioscience Database.
O’Shea TM.Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cerebral palsy.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2008;51(4):816–828. doi:10.1097/GRF.0b013e3181870ba7
Duong S, Patel T, Chang F.Dementia: what pharmacists need to know.Can Pharm J (Ott). 2017;150(2):118–129. doi:10.1177/1715163517690745
Nuño-Guzmán CM, García-Carrasco D, Haro M, Arróniz-Jáuregui J, Corona JL, Salcido M.Zenker’s diverticulum: diagnostic approach and surgical management.Case Rep Gastroenterol. 2014;8(3):346–352. doi:10.1159/000369130
Badillo R, Francis D.Diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2014;5(3):105-112. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v5.i3.105
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Dysphagia.University of Maryland Medical Center.Swallowing disorders.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Dysphagia.
University of Maryland Medical Center.Swallowing disorders.
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