Dysphagia

Overview

Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, means it takes extra time and effort for your body to move food/liquid from your mouth to your stomach. It may also cause pain or difficulty swallowing.

Occasional difficulty swallowing, which may occur when you eat too quickly or fail to chew your food well enough, usually is not cause for concern. However, persistent dysphagia may indicate a serious medical condition requiring treatment.

Dysphagia can occur at any age, but is more common in older adults. Causes and treatments may vary.