Dysphagia: Symptom and Causes

Signs and symptoms that can be associated with dysphagia may include:

• Pain while swallowing (odynophagia)
  
• Difficulty chewing
  
• Not being able to swallow
  
• Coughing or gagging when swallowing
  
• Choking when eating
  
• Sensation of food getting stuck in your throat or chest, or behind your breastbone 
  
• Drooling
  
• Hoarseness
  
• Bringing food back up (regurgitation)
  
• Frequent heartburn
  
• Food or stomach acid backing up into your throat
  
• Unexpected weight loss
  
• Coughing or gagging when swallowing
  
• Inability to control saliva in the mouth
  

Dysphagia may be caused by multiple disorders such as inflammation of the tonsils, larynx or stomatitis. Additionally, dysphagia may also be produced by goiter, neuromuscular disorders, cancer of the head or neck and stroke. Apart from this, it is also caused in patients who suffer from head injury, smoking, and use of certain medicines, poor dental conditions and excessive intake of alcohol.