Overview
Dysphagia or swallowing problems
This information is about dysphagia, which is when you have difficulties or problems with:
- eating
- drinking
- swallowing
The condition can cause problems with swallowing certain foods, liquids or saliva.
Dysphagia can affect people in different ways. Some people have mild discomfort or difficulty when swallowing, while others cannot swallow at all.
Many people have dysphagia. Speech and language therapists can offer specialist assessments and advice.
This information covers:
- the causes of dysphagia
- the possible problems linked to dysphagia
- the signs and symptoms of dysphagia
- the treatments for dysphagia
- the support available in the community
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your speech and language therapist or a GP.
Causes of dysphagia
Swallowing problems (dysphagia) can be caused by:
- a wide variety of medical conditions, such as neurological conditions that affect the nervous system or brain (including those that start suddenly or get worse with time) and some cancers
- trauma (injury)
- surgery
- some medical treatments
Problems linked to dysphagia
There are some health problems that can be linked to dysphagia.
Everyone is different and your experience will be personal to you. It is best to speak to your speech and language therapist about your problems and how to manage them.
Swallowing problems might:
- lead to food and drink entering the airway instead of the stomach, which can sometimes cause a chest infection
- make it difficult for you to eat enough to maintain your weight and good health
- make it difficult for you to drink enough fluids, which can lead to other complications such as constipation or dehydration
- mean that you do not enjoy eating and drinking, which may affect your quality of life
Signs and symptoms of dysphagia
The signs and symptoms of dysphagia include:
- needing extra effort or time to chew or swallow
- leaking food, liquid or saliva from the mouth
- coughing or choking during, or immediately after, eating or drinking
- having a wet or gurgly-sounding voice during or after eating or drinking
- getting food stuck in your throat, which is difficult to swallow
- getting repeated chest infections, chesty coughs or high temperatures
- losing weight or becoming dehydrated from not being able to eat or drink enough
Contact your speech and language therapist or a GP if:
- you notice any of the signs or symptoms listed in this section
- there are any other changes to your swallowing
Treatments for dysphagia
There are different ways of treating and managing dysphagia. Your treatment depends on:
Your speech and language therapist may suggest some exercises to improve your swallowing.
The speech and language therapist may also recommend some ways to help you eat and drink more easily. They may include:
- swallowing with your head, neck or both in a different position
- changing the consistency (thickness) or texture of your food and drink
In some cases, your speech and language therapist may recommend that you avoid eating and drinking. Instead, you can get all the food and liquid that you need through another route like a feeding tube. You might only need the feeding tube for a short time if your swallowing improves, but some people need it for longer.
Your speech and language therapist makes the most suitable recommendations after:
- assessing your condition in detail
- talking to you about your individual needs and preferences
Mouth care
Good mouth care is important for all people with dysphagia for safety and comfort reasons. Here are some simple tips that can help:
Do
- brush your teeth at least twice a day
- clean and store dentures (false teeth) properly
- remove any food that stays in your mouth after eating
Getting support in the community
If necessary, we can refer you to community speech and language therapy services for ongoing support. We will give you the details for your community contact.
If we do not refer you for more speech and language therapy but you are having difficulties with swallowing, please contact a GP.