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Michael Sherbin, D.O. and Associates

Condition · Throat, head and neck

Difficulty swallowing.

Occasional difficulty swallowing is normal; persistent trouble, the medical symptom called dysphagia, is not. It can involve any problem moving food or liquid from the mouth through the throat into the esophagus, and any form of constant swallowing difficulty deserves a conversation with a doctor.

Request an appointment The symptoms

Overview

When swallowing stops being automatic

Frequent trouble swallowing, known medically as dysphagia, can be an extremely challenging condition. You may take the ability to swallow for granted, until it begins to cause pain and affects your everyday life. Occasional difficulty swallowing is normal; however, when it becomes persistent and uncomfortable, medical counsel is advised. The ability to swallow food, liquid and vital nutrients is essential to your health and basic life enjoyment. Any form of constant swallowing difficulty is abnormal, and an important concern to discuss with our doctors.

Causes

What interferes with swallowing?

Swallowing difficulty can affect individuals of many ages and involves any problem in the process of moving food or liquid from your mouth, through your throat, and into your esophagus. Many conditions can interfere with our ability to swallow, which your doctor will identify and treat individually. Common causes include nerve and muscle complications, or throat blockage.

An enlarged thyroid gland can also press on the swallowing passage. The evaluation here can find that; treating the thyroid itself is not a specialty of this practice, and when it is the cause, you are referred to the right specialist.

Symptoms

More than trouble swallowing

Swallowing difficulty is not limited to trouble swallowing alone. Additional symptoms include:

  • Persistent choking or coughing when swallowing
  • Feeling of food stuck in your throat or back of your breastbone (sternum)
  • Pain during swallowing (odynophagia)
  • Inability to keep food down (regurgitation)
  • Stomach acid in your throat
  • Continual heartburn
  • Undesired weight loss
  • Total inability to swallow

Keep going

Related in throat, head and neck

Sore throat and mouth soresCondition Neck lumpsCondition HoarsenessCondition

All throat, head and neck

Common swallowing questions

Asked in this office, answered in plain language.

Is occasional trouble swallowing normal?

Yes. Occasional difficulty swallowing is normal. It is when the trouble becomes persistent and uncomfortable that medical counsel is advised; any form of constant swallowing difficulty is abnormal.

What is dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical symptom associated with frequent trouble swallowing: any problem in the process of moving food or liquid from the mouth, through the throat, and into the esophagus.

What causes difficulty swallowing?

Many conditions can interfere with the ability to swallow, and a doctor identifies and treats them individually. Common causes include nerve and muscle complications, or throat blockage.

What other symptoms come with it?

Persistent choking or coughing when swallowing, the feeling of food stuck in the throat or breastbone, pain during swallowing, regurgitation, stomach acid in the throat, continual heartburn, undesired weight loss, and in severe cases a total inability to swallow.

The next step

Constant trouble is not normal.

Request an appointment online, or call the office that is most convenient for you. The evaluation sorts out the rest.

What the evaluation involves
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