What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing — taking more time and effort to move food or liquid from your mouth to your stomach. Dysphagia can be painful. In some cases, swallowing is impossible.
Occasional difficulty swallowing, such as when you eat too fast or don't chew your food well enough, usually isn't cause for concern. But persistent dysphagia can be a serious medical condition requiring treatment.
Dysphagia can occur at any age, but it's more common in older adults.
Signs and symptoms associated with dysphagia can include:
- Pain while swallowing
- Inability to swallow
- A sensation of food getting stuck in the throat or chest or behind the breastbone (sternum)
- Drooling
- Hoarseness
- Food coming back up (regurgitation)
- Frequent heartburn
- Food or stomach acid backing up into the throat
- Weight loss
- Coughing or gagging when swallowing
Prevention
Although swallowing difficulties can't be prevented, you can reduce your risk of occasional difficulty swallowing by eating slowly and chewing your food well.
However, if you have signs or symptoms of dysphagia, see your health care provider.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dysphagia/symptoms-
causes/syc-20372028
