Swallowing is a complex process that is affected by aging and changes over time. Difficulty swallowing may be associated with:
- Trouble chewing
- Difficulty moving food and liquids from the mouth into the throat
- The feeling of food or pills getting stuck in the throat
- Food/liquids coming back up (regurgitation)
- Coughing or choking with swallowing
- Lung infections
- Weight loss
Some of the factors that contribute to trouble swallowing are:
- Aging
- Dry mouth
- Poor dentition
- Muscle atrophy of the tongue and upper throat
- Narrowing of the entrance to the esophagus
- Decreased feeling or sensitivity of the throat and voice box
