Dysphagia

24 February 2026

Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing. It can involve trouble swallowing food, drink, or even saliva, and may feel like food is “sticking” in the throat or chest. Dysphagia can be caused by a range of conditions, from reflux and inflammation through to muscle/nerve problems or narrowing (stricture) in the oesophagus.

Because swallowing symptoms can sometimes indicate a serious underlying condition, new, persistent or worsening dysphagia should always be assessed promptly.

At New Foscote Hospital, we provide consultant-led assessment and investigation to identify the cause of dysphagia and recommend the safest, most effective treatment plan.

Types of Dysphagia

Dysphagia is often grouped by where the problem occurs:

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (mouth/throat)

Difficulty starting a swallow. It may cause coughing or choking during meals and can be linked to swallowing muscle coordination issues.

Oesophageal dysphagia (gullet)

A sensation that food sticks in the chest or lower throat after swallowing. This is often linked to reflux, inflammation, narrowing, or motility disorders.

Dysphagia may also be described by what is hardest to swallow:

Solids first (often suggests narrowing/obstruction)
Liquids and solids from the start (can suggest swallowing coordination or motility issues)

Common Causes of Dysphagia

Causes vary depending on location and symptom pattern. Common causes include:

In the throat

Stroke or other neurological conditions affecting swallowing muscles
Age-related swallow weakness (in some cases)
Inflammation or infection
Muscle disorders affecting coordination

In the oesophagus

Acid reflux (GORD) causing inflammation and scarring
Oesophageal stricture (narrowing)
Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) (inflammatory/allergy-related condition)
Oesophageal spasm or motility disorders
Hiatus hernia (sometimes associated with reflux symptoms)
Tumours (less common, but important to rule out)
Tablet/medication irritation (if tablets lodge in the oesophagus)

Symptoms of Dysphagia

Symptoms can include:

Difficulty swallowing food, drink, or tablets
A feeling that food is stuck in the throat or chest
Coughing or choking when eating/drinking
Needing to chew excessively or eat very slowly
Regurgitation of food
Drooling or difficulty managing saliva
Pain on swallowing (odynophagia)
Unexplained weight loss due to reduced intake
Recurrent chest infections (from aspiration) in some cases
Heartburn or reflux symptoms (if reflux-related)

When to seek urgent help

Seek urgent same-day medical advice (or emergency care) if you have:

Food stuck and you cannot swallow saliva
Breathing difficulty, choking, or severe distress
Vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools
Severe chest pain
Rapidly worsening swallowing difficulty
Dysphagia with significant weight loss, persistent vomiting, or severe dehydration

Diagnosis at New Foscote Hospital

Your consultant will assess the pattern of your symptoms and recommend investigations to identify the cause. Diagnosis may include:

Detailed symptom history (solids vs liquids, onset, progression, reflux symptoms, weight change)
Examination of throat, neck and overall health factors
Review of medications (including reflux treatments and tablets that can irritate the oesophagus)
Investigations where appropriate, such as:
- Gastroscopy (endoscopy) to examine the oesophagus and stomach, take biopsies if needed, and assess for inflammation or narrowing
- Barium swallow (contrast X-ray) in selected cases to assess structure and swallowing mechanics
- Referral for swallow assessment (including speech and language therapy input) if oropharyngeal dysphagia is suspected
- Additional imaging or specialist tests where required for complex cases

You will receive a clear explanation of results and next steps.

Treatment & Management

Treatment depends on the cause of dysphagia and may include:

Reflux and inflammation management

Acid suppression medication
Dietary and lifestyle guidance to reduce reflux triggers
Treating underlying inflammation (including EoE pathways where indicated)

Treating narrowing or blockage

Oesophageal dilatation (stretching) during endoscopy for strictures
Management of causes of scarring and prevention of recurrence
Further specialist referral if a tumour or complex obstruction is suspected

Swallow rehabilitation and support

If the problem is in the swallowing muscles:

Swallow therapy exercises and techniques
Diet texture modification (soft foods, thickened fluids if recommended)
Positioning and pacing strategies to reduce choking risk

Nutrition support

If intake is reduced:

Dietitian advice and high-calorie strategies
Supportive plans to maintain hydration and nutrition while treatment is ongoing

Book an assessment

If you are experiencing swallowing difficulty, choking during meals, food sticking, or persistent reflux symptoms, New Foscote Hospital can assess the cause and advise on the most appropriate treatment pathway.

Make An Enquiry

Aaron