Swallowing disorders, also called dysphagia (dis-FAY-juh), can occur at different stages in the swallowing process:
Oral phase – sucking, chewing, and moving food or liquid into the throat
Pharyngeal phase – starting the swallowing reflex, squeezing food down the throat, and closing off the airway to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway (aspiration) or to prevent choking
Esophageal phase – relaxing and tightening the openings at the top and bottom of the feeding tube in the throat (esophagus) and squeezing food through the esophagus into the stomach
Symptoms
Several diseases, conditions, or surgical interventions can result in swallowing problems.
General signs may include:
coughing during or right after eating or drinking
wet or gurgly sounding voice during or after eating or drinking
extra effort or time needed to chew or swallow
food or liquid leaking from the mouth or getting stuck in the mouth
recurring pneumonia or chest congestion after eating
weight loss or dehydration from not being able to eat enough
As a result, adults may have:
poor nutrition or dehydration
risk of aspiration (food or liquid entering the airway), which can lead to pneumonia and chronic lung disease
less enjoyment of eating or drinking
embarrassment or isolation in social situations involving eating
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