Dysphagia
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What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is the medical term for swallowing difficulties. Some people with dysphagia have problems swallowing certain foods or liquids, while others can't swallow at all.

Other signs of dysphagia include:
  • coughing or choking when eating or drinking
  • bringing food back up, sometimes through the nose
  • a sensation that food is stuck in your throat or chest
  • persistent drooling of saliva
Over time, dysphagia can also cause symptoms such as weight loss and repeated chest infections.

What causes dysphagia?
Dysphagia is usually caused by another health condition, such as:
Dysphagia can also occur in children as the result of a developmental or learning disability.

Dysphagia can be caused by problems with the:
  • mouth or throat, known as oropharyngeal or high dysphagia
  • oesophagus (the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach), known as oesophageal or low dysphagia
Read more about the causes of dysphagia.
 
How can we help you?
If you feel you have difficulty with swallowing you should seek advice from your GP.
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