Difficult to Swallow
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Swallowing difficulties
Food stuck in my throat
Nasal regurgitation
Something blocking my throat when I swallow
Voice comes from the nose rather than mouth
Food coming out of nose
Food stuck at the back of my mouth
Cannot drink properly
Difficulty swallowing solid food
About the Symptom
Difficulty swallowing can be caused by brain conditions or throat disorders 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
Generally, Difficult to swallow can be related to:
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammation of the esophagus, often triggered by allergens.
- Suppurative Lymphadenitis
Lymphadenitis suppurativa is the inflammation and suppuration (pus formation) of lymph nodes in the body.
- Esophageal Spasm (Including Achalasia And Jackhammer Esophagus)
Esophageal spasms are painful contractions within the muscular tube connecting your mouth and stomach. This tube is called the esophagus.
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Esophageal Cancer
- Telangiectasia Ataxia
- Subacute Thyroiditis
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Difficult to swallow may be related to these serious diseases:
- Peritonsillar Abscess / Deep Neck Abscess
A bacterial infection of the areas around the tonsils and deep parts of the neck. Pus accumulates in these areas forming an abscess.
- Esophageal Foreign Body
- Bell's Palsy
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have difficulty swallowing?
- When did you first notice difficulty swallowing?
- How has difficulty swallowing changed since it started?
- Have you had trouble swallowing food or water before?
- How severe is your difficulty swallowing food?
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.
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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With a free 3-min Difficult to Swallow quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
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People with similar 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
- 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
- Food coming out of nostrils
- Difficulty drinking down water
- Difficulty swallowing fluids
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unable to swallow fluids
See full list
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FAQs
Q.
Trouble Swallowing Before Bed? Exploring Nighttime Dysphagia
A.
Difficulty swallowing at night often results from acid reflux, postnasal drip, or anxiety-related muscle tension, but structural, motility, or neurological issues can also be involved; there are several factors to consider, and fuller guidance is provided below. Seek urgent care if symptoms are progressive, painful, or involve choking or weight loss; otherwise, simple steps like avoiding late meals and elevating the head of the bed may help while you review the detailed next steps below.
References:
* Miyamoto M, Minami T, Kitamura K, Yagi M. Sleep and swallowing: a review. Sleep Biol Rhythms. 2021 Jan;19(1):9-14. PMID: 33456381.
* Miyamoto M. Nocturnal swallowing and its dysfunction. JGH Open. 2020 Feb 28;4(2):206-210. PMID: 32175317.
* Vaezi MF, Pandolfino JE, Yadlapati R, Hamdy S, Spechler SJ, Kahrilas PJ. Esophageal Dysphagia: A Review of Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management. Gastroenterology. 2021 May;160(6):1921-1936.e3. PMID: 33714658.
* Triggs JR, Kahrilas PJ. Diagnosis and Management of Dysphagia: An Update. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2019 Jul 16;21(8):41. PMID: 31312953.
* Miyamoto M, Minami T, Kitamura K, Yagi M. Swallowing dysfunction in sleep-related breathing disorders. JGH Open. 2021 Nov 22;6(1):15-18. PMID: 34806659.
Q.
Trouble Swallowing in the Dark? Exploring Nighttime Dysphagia Signs
A.
Difficulty swallowing at night can stem from reflux, postnasal drip, dry mouth, anxiety-related throat tension, or less common esophageal motility or structural problems, leading to food sticking, coughing or choking at bedtime, and a lump-in-throat feeling. There are several factors to consider; see below for key signs, patterns, simple home steps, and how doctors evaluate this. Seek urgent care for sudden inability to swallow, drooling, persistent choking, severe chest pain, or breathing trouble, and schedule a visit if symptoms persist, worsen, or cause weight loss.
References:
* Geng R, Wang P, He Z, Zhao X, Liu D. Nocturnal swallowing disorders: a narrative review. Front Physiol. 2024 Jan 26;15:1359664. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1359664. PMID: 38317772; PMCID: PMC10853874.
* Cai X, Liu J, Su D, Gao C, Zhang B, Shi C, Wang Z. Swallowing disorders and sleep-related breathing disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neurol. 2023 Jan 17;13:1095039. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1095039. PMID: 36738222; PMCID: PMC9890636.
* Yang M, Zhao R, Zhao Y. Diagnosis and treatment of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux disease. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Aug 8;14:1222880. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1222880. PMID: 37613768; PMCID: PMC10444390.
* Jiang Z, Wu X, Sun H, Li C, Wang W. Nocturnal Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Symptoms in Elderly Patients with Dysphagia. J Vis Exp. 2024 Feb 5;(204). doi: 10.3791/65809. PMID: 38318182.
* Jadallah R, Shaker R, Hogan WJ, Arndorfer R, Al-Ghazzawi B. Swallowing activity in humans during sleep. Am J Physiol. 1996 Feb;270(2 Pt 1):G329-33. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.1996.270.2.G329. PMID: 8617711.
Q.
Food Stuck Again? Why Your Throat is Resisting & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
That stuck-in-the-throat feeling is dysphagia, often caused by reflux, esophageal narrowing, eosinophilic esophagitis, motility disorders, or neurologic throat problems; seek urgent care if you cannot swallow saliva, are choking, or symptoms progress with weight loss. Medically approved next steps include short-term eating adjustments, tracking whether solids or liquids cause trouble, and prompt evaluation for tests such as endoscopy, barium swallow, or manometry because most causes are highly treatable when found early. There are several factors to consider; see below for red flags, tailored treatments, and how to choose the right next step now.
References:
* Venkatesan T, Gonsalves N, Abonia JP, et al. Clinical Characteristics of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in a Large Multicenter US Cohort. *Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol*. 2013 Dec;11(12):1709-1715.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2013.06.024. Epub 2013 Jun 25. PMID: 23809935; PMCID: PMC3931602.
* Spechler SJ, Castell DO. Classification of oesophageal motility abnormalities: how to incorporate advances in oesophageal manometry. *Gut*. 2013 Nov;62(11):1538-1552. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2012-303991. Epub 2012 Oct 11. PMID: 23060268.
* Jung KW, Kang MJ, Kim DH, et al. Endoscopic management of esophageal food impaction: a multicenter analysis. *Clin Endosc*. 2018 Jan;51(1):60-66. doi: 10.5946/ce.2017.025. Epub 2017 Aug 28. PMID: 28847250; PMCID: PMC5765727.
* Triadafilopoulos G. Dysphagia in older adults. *J Am Geriatr Soc*. 1999 Aug;47(8):1026-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1999.tb06894.x. PMID: 10443916.
* Kahrilas PJ, Kim H, Pandolfino JE. Approaches to the diagnosis and grading of gastroesophageal reflux disease. *Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol*. 2010;24(6):759-77. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2010.09.006. PMID: 21111929; PMCID: PMC3002613.
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