Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. Occasional dysphagia may simply result from eating too fast or not chewing food well enough. However, chronic or severe dysphagia can be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as esophageal cancer, requiring immediate medical treatment.

Dysphagia can occur at any stage of the swallowing process, in which food and liquids move from the mouth, through the pharynx (throat), into the esophagus, and finally, into the stomach for continued digestion. There are two main types of dysphagia: preesophageal dysphagia and esophageal dysphagia.

In addition to difficulty swallowing, a patient may experience other symptoms that may help indicate the cause of dysphagia. These include odynophagia (pain with swallowing), heartburn, abdominal pain and fatigue.

It is recommended that patients immediately contact their physician if they have prolonged dysphagia, especially if it is accompanied by fever, unexplained weight loss or gastrointestinal bleeding. Chronic dysphagia can lead to dehydration and malnutrition.

Dysphagia can occur at any age, but is more common in the elderly. Older persons are more likely to have certain conditions (e.g., neurological disorders) that may result in dysphagia.

Patients with neurological or nervous system disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy) are also more likely to experience difficulty swallowing because they are unable to begin the muscle movements that allow food to move from the mouth to the stomach. Dysphagia may also occur after a sudden neurological trauma, such as a stroke or a head or spinal cord injury. 

Common causes of dysphagia include infections resulting in throat inflammation (e.g., influenza), ulcers or tumors (abnormal growths) in the mouth or throat, gastroesophageal reflux disease and others.

The diagnosis of dysphagia typically involves an evaluation of the patient’s medical history, a physical examination and a series of diagnostic tests including blood tests, modified barium swallow and endoscopy.

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of dysphagia. For example, to alleviate dysphagia caused by a narrowing of the esophagus (esophageal stricture), a physician may use an endoscope with a special balloon attached to gently stretch and expand the width of the esophagus (dilation). For tumors or pouches in the esophagus, surgery may be performed to clear the esophageal path. In the case of dysphagia caused by neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease), a physician may refer the patient to a neurologist and speech specialist for therapy.