Swallowing difficulty

Definition

Difficulty when swallowing is the sensation that food is stuck in the throat or upper chest. This may be felt high in the neck or lower down, behind the breastbone (sternum).

Alternative Names

Considerations

Swallowing is a complex act that involves the mouth, throat area, and esophagus, the tube that moves food to the stomach. Many nerves and muscles control how these body parts work. Part of the act of swallowing is under voluntary control, which means you are aware of controlling the action. However, much of swallowing is involuntary.

Problems at any point -- from chewing food and moving it into the back of the mouth to moving the food into the stomach -- can result in difficulty swallowing.

Chest pain, the feeling of food stuck in the throat, or heaviness or pressure in the neck or upper chest are frequently the result of swallowing difficulties.

Causes

There are many different causes of swallowing difficulty.

Causes may include:

• A blockage due to:
  • Cervical spine disease
  • Emotional or anxiety disorder
  • Esophageal webs
  • Narrowings (strictures) due to radiation, chemicals, medications, or ulcers
  • Schatzki's ring
  • Tumors
  • Zenker's diverticulum
• Nerve and muscle problems such as:
  • Achalasia
  • ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
  • Esophageal spasm
  • Huntington's disease
  • Infections such as syphilis
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Nutcracker esophagus
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Polymyositis
  • Scleroderma
  • Stroke