Swallowing difficulty

Alternative names:

aphagia; dysphagia; esophagus, corkscrew

Definition:

Difficulty when swallowing.

Considerations:

The opening and closing the various part of the throat is affected by both nerves and muscles.

Swallowing difficulty may be constant or intermittent.

Common causes:

• esophageal spasm
• esophageal stricture
• emotional or anxiety disorder (globus hystericus)
• pressure on the esophagus by adjacent organs or tissues (gland, tumor, enlarged aorta)
• gastroesophageal reflux disease
• epiglottitis
• pharyngitis (can be gonococcal, streptococcal, viral)
• radiation treatment
• ingestion of a caustic substance (a chemical that causes burns in the throat)
• chemotherapy
• cervical adenitis (swollen lymph nodes in the neck)
• gingivitis
• herpetic stomatitis
• peritonsillar abscess
• retropharyngeal abscess
• esophageal cancer
• tooth abscess

Note: There may be other causes of swallowing difficulty. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for swallowing difficulty, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.