Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing. It is a symptom of many different disorders, including various neurological abnormalities. These include diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis, as well as injuries that cause damage to the brain (e.g., stroke) or spinal cord.

Dysphagia can develop at any point in the swallowing process from the mouth to the pharynx, esophagus or stomach. In some cases, dysphagia is marked by choking or coughing that occurs when a person is eating. In other cases, the person may not be able to swallow at all.

Of the various types of dysphagia, oropharyngeal dysphagia is most commonly associated with neurological problems. This type of dysphagia occurs as a result of neuromuscular problems that weaken the throat muscles and make it difficult to move food from the mouth to the throat and esophagus.

Other symptoms associated with dysphagia usually result from not consuming proper amounts of foods or liquids. They may include weight loss and dehydration. Some patients may also be at increased risk of contracting aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when food or fluids are inhaled down the windpipe or up the nose.

Treatment of dysphagia depends on its cause. For oropharyngeal dysphagia, occupational or speech therapy is frequently used to help patients learn to swallow better. For example, positioning the head and neck in certain ways can aid in swallowing. Certain exercises can also help patients coordinate swallowing muscles or restimulate the nerves that trigger the swallowing reflex.