If you have a swallowing disorder, you may have difficulty swallowing and may also have pain while swallowing. Some people may be completely unable to swallow or may have trouble swallowing liquids, foods or saliva. This makes it hard to eat. Often, it can be difficult to take in enough calories and fluids to nourish your body.

1. Fitango Education
Health Topics
Painful Swallowing
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2. Overview
If you have a swallowing disorder, you may have
difficulty swallowing and may also have pain while
swallowing. Some people may be completely
unable to swallow or may have trouble swallowing
liquids, foods or saliva. This makes it hard to eat.
Often, it can be difficult to take in enough calories
and fluids to nourish your body.
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3. Causes
• Nervous system disorders, such as Parkinson's
disease and cerebral palsy
• Problems with your esophagus, including
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Stroke
• Head or spinal cord injury
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4. Causes
• Cancer of the head, neck, or esophagus
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5. Treatment
Medicines can help some people, while others may
need surgery. Swallowing treatment with a speech-
language pathologist can help. You may find it
helpful to change your diet or hold your head or
neck in a certain way when you eat. In very serious
cases, people may need feeding tubes.
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