Swallowing difficulty

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Throat anatomy

Dysphagia; Impaired swallowing

Eat slowly, and chew food thoroughly. If a person suddenly shows signs of choking and difficulty breathing, food could be blocking the main airway (trachea). The Heimlich maneuver should be performed immediately.

You may have an easier time swallowing liquids or pureed foods than solids. Avoid very cold or very hot foods if you notice that they worsen the problem.

Call your doctor right away if:

• You cough or have a fever or shortness of breath
• You are losing weight
• Your swallowing problems are getting worse

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Call your health care provider if the problem continues, even if the symptoms come and go.

Tell your doctor about any other symptoms you may have including:

• Abdominal pain
• Chills
• Cough
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Sour taste in mouth
• Weight loss
• Wheezing
• Vomiting, especially if it contains blood

Your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

• Do you have difficulty swallowing solids, liquids, or both?
• Do you cough or choke during or after eating?
• Do you have a weak voice?
• Is the problem constant or does it come and go?
• Is it getting worse?
• Does it hurt to swallow? Do you have chest discomfort when you swallow?
• Does it feel like you have a lump in your throat?
• Have you breathed in or swallowed any irritating substances?
• Are you losing any weight?
• What other symptoms do you have?
• What other medical conditions do you have?
• What medications do you take?

The following tests may be done:

• Barium swallow
• Chest x-ray
• Esophageal pH monitoring (measures acid in the esophagus)
• Esophageal manometry (measures pressures in the esophagus)
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
• Neck x-ray

Review Date: 10/20/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).