Difficult to Swallow
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Reviewed By:
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, 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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Developed by doctors.
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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
- Diabetic neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occurs in those with long-term diabetes. High blood sugar can damage nerves throughout the body, most commonly in the legs and feet.
- Acute tonsillitis / pharyngitis
Infection of the tonsils and pharynx (back of the mouth), either by viruses or bacteria.
- Gastritis
A condition where the surface lining of the stomach is damaged, causing abdominal pain and discomfort. Causes include stress, binge-eating, excessive alcohol intake, and infection with the bacteria H. pylori.
- Aerophagia
- Progressive subcortical vascular encephalopathy
Suppurative lymphadenitis
- Common cold (upper respiratory tract infection)
- Hyperthyroidism
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
Symptoms from the same body system / part
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
Reviewed By:
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, 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.
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD
Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)
National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan