Digestive
Difficulty swallowing
Trouble getting food or drink to go down, or a sense that it sticks or is painful on the way.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of difficulty swallowing and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is difficulty swallowing?
Difficulty swallowing, sometimes called dysphagia, means food, drink or tablets do not pass down smoothly, or feel as though they stick or are painful as they go. It can come from the muscles and nerves that move things from the mouth to the stomach, or from a narrowing or irritation in the food pipe.
- Get urgent help: Sudden difficulty swallowing with face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech – this is a STROKE; call 999 and remember FAST. Food or a tablet stuck in the throat, or choking.
- Self-care: While the cause is being sorted out, eating slowly, taking smaller mouthfuls and chewing food well can make swallowing easier and safer.
About difficulty swallowing
Difficulty swallowing, sometimes called dysphagia, means food, drink or tablets do not pass down smoothly, or feel as though they stick or are painful as they go. It can come from the muscles and nerves that move things from the mouth to the stomach, or from a narrowing or irritation in the food pipe. Some causes are temporary, such as a sore throat or thrush, while others, like a narrowing of the food pipe, tend to get steadily worse and need prompt assessment. Swallowing problems that come on suddenly with weakness or slurred speech are a medical emergency and point to a possible stroke.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if difficulty swallowing comes with any of these warning signs:
- Sudden difficulty swallowing with face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech – this is a STROKE; call 999 and remember FAST.
- Food or a tablet stuck in the throat, or choking.
- Swallowing that is getting steadily worse, painful, or with unintentional weight loss – this needs prompt assessment to rule out a narrowing or cancer.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor promptly if you regularly struggle to swallow, feel food sticking, or your swallowing is gradually getting worse, even if it is only mild at first. It is especially important to be checked without delay if you are losing weight without trying, bringing food back up, or swallowing is becoming painful. A clinician can arrange tests to find the cause and start the right treatment.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of difficulty swallowing
Difficulty swallowing has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
While the cause is being sorted out, eating slowly, taking smaller mouthfuls and chewing food well can make swallowing easier and safer. Softer, moist foods and sips of fluid between bites often go down more comfortably than dry or chunky foods. Sitting upright to eat and staying upright for a while afterwards can help if acid reflux is part of the problem. Because difficulty swallowing that is getting worse always needs checking, treat self-care as a way to stay comfortable rather than a substitute for getting it assessed.
Answers
Difficulty swallowing: frequently asked questions
Is difficulty swallowing ever an emergency?
Yes. Call 999 if swallowing problems come on suddenly with face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech, as this can be a stroke. Also seek urgent help if food or a tablet is stuck and you are choking or cannot breathe properly.
Why does swallowing that is slowly getting worse need checking?
Swallowing that steadily worsens, becomes painful, or comes with weight loss can be due to a narrowing of the food pipe that needs prompt assessment to find the cause, including ruling out cancer. Getting it looked at early gives the best chance of straightforward treatment.
Can acid reflux cause trouble swallowing?
Yes. Acid coming up from the stomach can irritate and inflame the food pipe, making swallowing uncomfortable or giving a sense of food sticking. Persistent or worsening swallowing problems should still be assessed rather than assumed to be reflux.
How can I make swallowing easier while I wait to be seen?
Eat slowly with smaller mouthfuls, chew well, and choose softer, moist foods with sips of fluid between bites. Sit upright to eat and stay upright afterwards. These steps keep you comfortable but do not replace getting the cause checked.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Dyspepsia – unidentified cause.
- Guts UK charity.
Related symptoms
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