Food Getting Stuck Is Not Something to Ignore

Photo source: iStock

Most of us occasionally swallow a mouthful of food too quickly and need to take a sip of water. But if food regularly feels as though it is sticking in your throat or chest, it is worth mentioning to your doctor.

Difficulty swallowing is known as dysphagia. It can feel like food is taking longer than usual to go down, getting stuck partway through a meal, or causing you to cough or choke while eating. Some people notice the problem more with solid foods such as meat or bread, while others struggle with liquids as well.

There are several possible causes. Problems affecting the muscles or nerves involved in swallowing can contribute, while conditions affecting the oesophagus can also make swallowing difficult. Sometimes reflux or certain medicines may play a role.

The important thing is to notice a change rather than simply accepting it as part of getting older. If you have started avoiding certain foods because they are difficult to swallow, taking much longer to finish meals, or needing to drink repeatedly to get food down, tell your healthcare provider.

Pay attention to other changes, too. Unexplained weight loss, persistent coughing during meals, a wet or gurgly voice after swallowing, repeated chest infections, or pain when swallowing are particularly useful details to mention.

There are a few simple habits that can make meals easier while you’re waiting for medical advice. Sit upright when eating, take smaller mouthfuls, and chew thoroughly. Avoid rushing through meals or trying to swallow large pieces of food.

Don’t rely on repeatedly washing food down with water to solve the problem. While a drink may make a difficult mouthful easier to swallow, it doesn’t address the reason the problem is happening.

If food becomes completely stuck and you cannot swallow, particularly if you are having trouble breathing, seek urgent medical attention.

Swallowing is something we normally do without thinking about it. That is precisely why a persistent change can be easy to overlook. If eating has started to feel noticeably different, don’t simply change your diet and hope it goes away. A conversation with your doctor can help establish what is behind it.