Swallowing difficulty

Alternative names:

aphagia; dysphagia; esophagus, corkscrew

Home care:

Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly. If a person suddenly complains of choking and displays signs of difficulty breathing, the Heimlich maneuver should be performed immediately.

Call your health care provider if:

• there is any difficulty in swallowing.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting swallowing difficulty in detail may include:

• quality
  • Was there difficulty with solids at first , then progressively worsening to difficulty with liquids?
  • Was there difficulty with both solids and liquids?
  • Is there difficulty with solids only? liquids only?

• time pattern
  • Is it there all the time (constant) or off-and-on (intermittent)?
  • Are there progressive swallowing problems (getting worse)?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there painful swallowing?
  • Is there a bag-like (cystic) mass in the mouth or throat (oral cavity)?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• barium swallow
• chest X-ray
• endoscopy (EGD)
• esophageal acidity test (to check for acid backup from the stomach to the esophagus)
• esophageal manometry

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to swallowing difficulty, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.