Trouble Swallowing (Dysphagia): Causes, Tests, and Treatment

Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing: a feeling that food or liquid sticks in the throat or chest, or goes down slowly. It is never a normal part of aging and should be checked by a doctor.

Common causes

• Narrowing (stricture) from long-term acid reflux
• Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an allergic inflammation
• A Schatzki ring, a thin band of tissue at the bottom of the esophagus
• Muscle and nerve problems such as achalasia or esophageal spasm
• Tumors of the esophagus
• Throat-level problems after a stroke or with certain nerve conditions

Warning signs

• Food stuck and unable to swallow saliva: go to the emergency room
• Unplanned weight loss
• Trouble that is getting worse quickly
• Vomiting blood or black stools

Tests

• Upper endoscopy (EGD): looks for narrowing, inflammation, or growths, and allows biopsies
• Esophageal manometry: measures the squeezing of the esophagus muscles
• Barium swallow: an X-ray that shows how food moves

Treatment

• Dilation: gently stretching a narrowed area during endoscopy
• Acid-reducing medicine for reflux-related narrowing
• EoE treatment with medicine or diet
• Procedures for achalasia, such as dilation, endoscopic myotomy, or surgery

Dr. Tim Chen's clinical interests include esophageal motility disorders.

Make an appointment

Our gastroenterologists in Temple City care for patients from Arcadia, San Gabriel, Pasadena, Monrovia, Monterey Park, and across the San Gabriel Valley. We accept most PPO plans (see accepted insurances), and our doctors speak English, Vietnamese, and Mandarin. Schedule an appointment or call 626-898-4560.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own health.