Difficulty swallowing in adults

When to seek medical advice

Get emergency care for difficulty swallowing if you:

Have something stuck in your throat
Can't swallow at all
Have trouble breathing

Difficulty swallowing is usually the result of damage to the esophagus, blockage of the esophagus, or poor function of the nerves and muscles that control swallowing. Find possible causes of difficulty swallowing based on specific factors. Check one or more factors on this page that apply to your symptom.

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When to seek medical advice