Health Tip: When It's Difficult to Swallow

Possible causes for dysphagia

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(HealthDay News) -- Dysphagia is the medical term for having difficulty swallowing.

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The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this list of potential causes:

• Gulping your food too fast or taking big bites.
• Having insufficient water with food.
• Eating while you lie down.
• Having an injury or disorder affecting the muscles and nerves, such as a stroke, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
• Having damage to the esophagus, such as scar tissue from acid reflux.
• Having health problems that apply pressure to the esophagus, such as an enlarged heart or thyroid.

-- Diana Kohnle