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From the National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of Health
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Swallowing Disorders

Also called: Dysphagia 
 
 

If you have a swallowing disorder, you may have difficulty swallowing and may also have pain while swallowing. Some people may be completely unable to swallow or may have trouble swallowing liquids, foods or saliva. This makes it hard to eat. Often, it can be difficult to take in enough calories and fluids to nourish your body.

Anyone can have a swallowing disorder, but it is more likely in the elderly. Swallowing problems often happen because of other conditions, including

  • Nervous system disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and cerebral palsy
  • Problems with your esophagus, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Stroke
  • Head or spinal cord injury
  • Cancer of the head, neck, or esophagus

Medicines can help some people, while others may need surgery. Swallowing treatment with a speech-language pathologist can help. You may find it helpful to change your diet or hold your head or neck in a certain way when you eat. In very serious cases, people may need feeding tubes.

NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

 
 
 

  • Start Here

    • DysphagiaFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders)
    • Swallowing DisordersFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
    • Also available in Spanish
 

 

 
 
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Illustration of the upper gastrointestinal system

National Institutes of Health

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