Various medical conditions, disorders, or surgical interventions can lead to swallowing difficulties. Common signs and symptoms associated with dysphagia include:
- Pain while swallowing
- Inability to swallow certain foods or liquids
- Sensation of food being stuck in the throat or chest
- Excessive saliva in the mouth
- Hoarseness or changes in voice after eating or drinking, including a “wet” sounding voice
- Regurgitation of food back into the mouth
- Frequent reflux of bitter liquid, acid, or stomach contents into the mouth
- Unexpected weight loss
- Coughing or gagging during eating or drinking
- Avoiding certain foods or breaking food into very small pieces due to fear of choking
- Recurrent pneumonia after oral feeding
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should be evaluated by an ENT specialist with expertise in swallowing disorders to identify the underlying cause.