Dysphagia is the medical term for swallowing difficulties. Some people with dysphagia have problems swallowing certain foods or liquids, while others can’t swallow at all. If you have an unsafe swallow you can be at a risk of aspiration (this means food and drink going down the wrong way into your wind pipe rather than your food pipe). This can give you a chest infection which can be fatal.

Symptom checklist

Unable to swallow

Having pain while swallowing

Coughing or choking when eating or drinking

Bringing food back up, sometimes through the nose

A sensation that food is stuck in your throat or chest

Persistent drooling of saliva

Unable to chew food properly

‘Gurgly’ wet sounding voice when eating or drinking

Taking a long time to swallow food

Pouching food in your mouth

Having to cut food into smaller pieces/avoiding certain foods because of trouble swallowing⠀⠀

Over time, dysphagia can also cause symptoms such as weight loss and repeated chest infections.