Difficult to Swallow

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Reviewed By:

Bret Mobley

Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)

Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.

Shohei Harase

Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)

Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.

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People with these symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes

  • Food / water doesn't go down the throat easily

  • Food can't go down and just stays in my throat

  • Voice comes from the nose rather than mouth

  • Water doesn't go down the throat

  • It is hard to swallow food / water

  • Food gets caught on something when I swallow

  • Fluids can't go down the throat

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Content updated on Jan 4, 2023

About the symptom

Difficulty swallowing. It can be caused by brain conditions or by disorders of the throat such as reflux.

When to see a doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

  • Hard to swallow food or water

Possible causes

Related serious diseases

  • Dehydration

    Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in, and your body does not have as much water as it needs. Common causes of dehydration include inadequate intake, diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Dehydration can also lead to serious complications including seizures, urinary and kidney problems.

Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom

  • Do you have difficulty swallowing (e.g food or water)?

  • Do you have a fever?

  • Do you have a sore throat?

  • Do you have heartburn?

  • Do you have slurred speech?

Other Related Symptoms

Similar symptoms or complaints

Reviewed By:

Bret Mobley

Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)

Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.

Shohei Harase

Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)

Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.

From our team of 50+ doctors

Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.

Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide

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