Difficulty Swallowing
The sensation of food or liquid sticking, or of not being able to start a swallow at all.
What is happening
This symptom is never ignored in gastroenterology. Causes range from a narrowing or a motility disorder such as achalasia, through nerve and brain conditions including stroke, to a growth in the food pipe. In children, prematurity, neurological conditions and cleft palate are among the causes.
What helps
- Note whether solids, liquids or both are affected - it genuinely narrows the diagnosis
- Do not switch to a soft diet and wait it out
- Bring someone with you to the appointment
See a doctor promptly if you have
- Food sticking, especially solids
- Choking or coughing while eating
- Weight loss
- Repeated chest infections
How we investigate it
Almost always the answer comes from a careful history first, and only then a targeted test — not a panel of everything. Depending on what we find, that may be an endoscopy, a colonoscopy, a Fibroscan or a breath test. We will tell you why a test is being suggested, and what we would do differently depending on the result.
Speak to a gastroenterologist about difficulty swallowing
Consultations at all four centres — Vastrapur, Bopal, Bapunagar and Nikol.