Difficult to Swallow
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
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 Jan 4, 2023
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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
Find another symptom
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How Ubie Can Help You
With an easy 3-min questionnaire , Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.
Questions are customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
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
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizAbout 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.
- Telangiectasia Ataxia
Ataxia-telangiectasia is a rare, inherited disorder that affects the nervous system, immune system, and other body systems starting in childhood, typically before age 5. It causes progressive difficulty with coordinating movements (ataxia), increased risk of cancer and infections. The disorder is due to mutations in the ATM gene, which controls the production of an enzyme that regulates cell division after DNA damage.
- Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy With Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy
- Esophageal Spasm (Including Achalasia And Jackhammer Esophagus)
- Retropharyngeal Abscess
- Medullary Thyroid Cancer
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
- Tetanus
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Is swallowing difficult for you (e.g. with food or water)?
- How long have you had difficulty swallowing food or water?
- Have you had trouble swallowing food or water before?
- How has difficulty swallowing changed since it started?
- How much does difficulty swallowing affect you?
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizFind Similar Symptoms
Similar symptoms or complaints
Symptoms from similar body parts
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.
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.
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