Dysphagia (swallowing problems)Overview

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
• being unable to chew food properly
• a 'gurgly' wet sounding voice when eating or drinking

Over time, dysphagia can also cause symptoms such as weight loss and repeated chest infections.

When to seek medical advice

You should see your GP if you, or someone you care for, have difficulty swallowing or any other signs of dysphagia so you can get treatment to help with your symptoms.

Early investigation can also help to rule out other more serious conditions, such as oesophageal cancer.

Your GP will assess you and may refer you for further tests.

Read more about diagnosing dysphagia.

Treating dysphagia

Treatment usually depends on the cause and type of dysphagia.

Many cases of dysphagia can be improved with careful management, but a cure isn't always possible. Treatments for dysphagia include:

• speech and language therapy to learn new swallowing techniques
• changing the consistency of food and liquids to make them safer to swallow
• other forms of feeding – such as tube feeding through the nose or stomach
• surgery to widen the oesophagus, by stretching it or inserting a plastic or metal tube (stent)

Read more about treating dysphagia.

Causes of dysphagia

Dysphagia is usually caused by another health condition, such as:

• a condition that affects the nervous system, such as a stroke, head injury, multiple sclerosis or dementia
• cancer – such as mouth cancer or oesophageal cancer 
• gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) – where stomach acid leaks back up into the oesophagus

Children can also have dysphagia as a result of a developmental or learning disability, such as cerebral palsy.

Read more about the causes of dysphagia.

Complications of dysphagia

Dysphagia can sometimes lead to further problems.

One of the most common problems is coughing or choking, when food goes down the "wrong way" and blocks your airway. This can lead to chest infections, such as aspiration pneumonia, which require urgent medical treatment.

Aspiration pneumonia can develop after accidentally inhaling something, such as a small piece of food.

Warning signs of aspiration pneumonia include:

• a wet, gurgly voice while eating or drinking
• coughing while eating or drinking
• difficulty breathing – breathing may be rapid and shallow

If you, or someone you care for, have been diagnosed with dysphagia and you develop these symptoms, contact your treatment team immediately, or call NHS 111.

Dysphagia may mean that you avoid eating and drinking due to a fear of choking, which can lead to malnutrition and dehydration.

Dysphagia can also affect your quality of life because it may prevent you from enjoying meals and social occasions.

Dysphagia in children

If children with long-term dysphagia aren't eating enough, they may not get the essential nutrients they need for physical and mental development.

Children who have difficulty eating may also find meal times stressful, which may lead to behavioural problems.