Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia)

More about swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)

What might be causing your swallowing difficulties

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) can happen at any age.

Babies and children may have trouble coordinating sucking and swallowing, or moving to solid foods. They may also cough during feeds, take a long time to eat, or put on little weight. Some children have swallowing difficulties due to developmental differences, medical conditions present from birth, or neurological needs. In young people, it may be linked to muscle weakness, sensory difficulties, learning disabilities, neurological conditions, or ongoing health needs.

In adults, swallowing difficulties may develop after a stroke, brain injury, neurological conditions (such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis), head and neck cancer treatment, age‑related muscle weakness, taking certain medications or acid reflux. Older adults may experience difficulties due to reduced muscle strength, dementia, frailty, or health conditions that affect coordination or sensation. Support is available to help you or your child eat and drink more safely and confidently, many people have benefitted from it.

Swallowing difficulties can affect people at different life stages and in different ways:

Oral phase difficulties – Some people may have difficulty chewing food or moving it around the mouth. It can make it harder to form food into a safe swallow. This can happen with young children who are still learning to chew, as well as in people with sensory differences, muscle weakness or dental problems.

Pharyngeal phase difficulties – Some swallowing difficulties happen in the throat, as food or drink moves into the oesophagus. This may lead to coughing during meals, choking, or food and drink “going the wrong way”.

Oesophageal difficulties – Food or drink may feel as though it moves slowly, becomes stuck, or causes discomfort when swallowing. This can sometimes be linked to reflux, narrowing of the oesophagus, or difficulties with how the muscles move food towards the stomach.

Developmental or sensory‑based feeding needs (CYP) – Some children and young people may avoid certain textures, gag easily, or feel anxious around food. These experiences can be linked to sensory or developmental difference. Swallowing changes after illness or treatment – Some people notice difficulties after a stroke, neuromuscular conditions, surgery, radiotherapy, or a long stay in hospital.

Swallowing difficulties may be influenced by things such as, neurological conditions (stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis). Developmental differences in babies and children
Muscle weakness or coordination difficulties. Treatment for head and neck cancer, reflux or changes in the structure of the oesophagus (food pipe). Learning disabilities or needs linked to sensory processing
Age-related changes in muscle strength. Prematurity or difficulties feeding shortly after birth, respiratory conditions that affect the coordination between breathing and swallowing and trauma or injury affecting the mouth, throat, or nerves.