Dysphagia
What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is the medical term for a person who has swallowing difficulties. Some people cannot swallow certain foods or liquids, whilst others have trouble swallowing at all. The condition is usually caused by nerve or muscle problems, and is more common in the older generation and babies. There are three different types:
- Oral dysphagia – which occurs in the mouth and is sometimes caused by tongue weakness, especially following a stroke.
- Pharyngeal dysphagia – is a problem in the throat that is normally caused by neurological problems, such as Parkinson’s disease.
- Oesophageal dysphagia – is in the oesophagus and is usually because of a blockage or irritation and requires surgery.
What are the symptoms of dysphagia?
The symptoms of dysphagia may include:
- pain or discomfort when swallowing
- expulsion of food or liquid from the mouth
- involuntary drooling
- residues of food in the mouth or tongue
- frequent clearing of the throat
- swallowing in very small pieces
- the feeling of a blockage in the throat
- frequent bronchitis and pneumonia
What are the causes of dysphagia?
Normally, dysphagia occurs secondary to another disease or injury, such as:
- A condition to affect the nervous system – stroke, head injury, multiple sclerosis, dementia
- Cancer
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Risk factors for dysphagia include ageing as this is due to general wear and tear on the body over time. Neurological conditions can make dysphagia more likely.
How is dysphagia diagnosed?
A speech-language specialist will try to determine the problem. The patient will take a:
- Swallow study – where the specialist tests different consistencies of food and liquid.
- Barium swallow test – after swallowing a barium-containing liquid, the barium shows up in an X-ray to help the doctor see what is happening in the muscles of the oesophagus.
- Endoscopy – a camera is used to look down the oesophagus.
How is dysphagia treated?
The treatment depends on the type of dysphagia that the patient has. Oral dysphagia is a neurological problem and treatment can be a challenge. Swallowing therapy can be done with a speech and language therapist. The patient may also need to be fed through a feeding tube. A nasal tube or PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) is used to feed a patient who is at risk of pneumonia, malnutrition or dehydration.
Oesophageal dysphagia usually requires surgery. If the oesophagus needs to be widened then a small balloon is inserted and then removed. In cases of stiff muscle, Botox® is used to paralyse it in order to reduce constriction. If cancer is the cause of dysphagia, the patient is referred to a specialist for treatment to have a tumour removed surgically.


Can swallowing problems sometimes be psychological?
By Professor Martin Anthony Birchall
2022-06-26
Ever feel the sensation of having something stuck in your throat but not sure if anything is really there? Expert otolaryngologist Professor Martin Birchall explains the possible causes and whether stress or anxiety can cause swallowing problems. See more


Dysphagia: It doesn’t have to be hard to swallow.
By Dr Rami Sweis
2022-06-26
Dysphagia, a medical term for different symptoms that make swallowing difficult, can be caused by many things. Leading consultant gastroenterologist Dr Rami Sweis, based in London, discusses some of the causes, how they are diagnosed, and how treatment for each condition is carried out. See more


Difficulty in swallowing (Dysphagia)
By Professor Guri Sandhu
2022-06-25
Otolaryngologist and ENT specialist Mr Guri Sandhu discusses the causes of difficulty in swallowing and how it can be treated with or without surgery, depending on severity. See more


Series (Part One): GORD - An introduction
By Dr Andrew Thillainayagam
2022-06-25
In this three-part article series, consultant physician and gastroenterology specialist, Dr Andrew Thillainayagam and Dr Neil Galletly, clinical research fellow, consider the impact of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Read a comprehensive summary of the condition in part one. See more
-
Professor Martin Anthony Birchall
Otolaryngology / ENTExpert in:
- Acid reflux
- Tonsillitis
- Dysphonia
- Dysphagia
- Voice disorders
- Pharyngeal pouch
-
Dr Christos Toumpanakis
GastroenterologyExpert in:
- Neuroendocrine tumours
- Acid reflux
- Coeliac disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Dysphagia
- Chronic diarrhoea
-
Mr Tony Jacob
Otolaryngology / ENTExpert in:
- Paediatric ENT
- Thyroid gland surgery
- Rhinitis
- Throat cancer
- Dysphagia
- Sinusitis
-
Mr Ricard Simo
Otolaryngology / ENTExpert in:
- Dysphagia
- Head and neck cancer
- Thyroid gland surgery
- Parathyroid gland
- Pharyngeal pouch
- Salivary gland surgery
-
Mr Nicholas Gibbins
Otolaryngology / ENTExpert in:
- Thyroid gland surgery
- Dysphagia
- Dysphonia
- Endoscopic sinus surgery
- Phonosurgery
- Voice disorders
- See all

London ENT Surgeons
London ENT Surgeons
10 Independents Road, SE3 9LF
No existe teléfono en el centro.
By using the telephone number provided by TOP DOCTORS, you automatically agree to let us use your phone number for statistical and commercial purposes. For further information, read our Privacy Policy
Top Doctors

GI DOCTORS
GI DOCTORS
116 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JL
No existe teléfono en el centro.
By using the telephone number provided by TOP DOCTORS, you automatically agree to let us use your phone number for statistical and commercial purposes. For further information, read our Privacy Policy
Top Doctors

London Medical
London Medical
49 Marylebone High Street
No existe teléfono en el centro.
By using the telephone number provided by TOP DOCTORS, you automatically agree to let us use your phone number for statistical and commercial purposes. For further information, read our Privacy Policy
Top Doctors
-
London ENT Surgeons
10 Independents Road, SE3 9LF, East LondonExpert in:
- Allergies nose and ears
- Otolaryngology
- Otology
- Plastic surgery, reconstructive and aesthetics
-
GI DOCTORS
116 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JL, W1G Marylebone LondonExpert in:
- Colorectal surgery
- Colonoscopy
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Gastroenterology
- Hernia
- Irritable bowel syndrome
-
London Medical
49 Marylebone High Street, Central LondonExpert in:
- Cardiology
- Adult Diabetes
- Child Diabetes
- Endocrinology
- General practice
- Ophthalmology