Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It refers to trouble moving food or liquid from the mouth through the throat and esophagus down to the stomach. The severity of dysphagia ranges from mild discomfort to a complete inability to swallow or move food down the digestive tract. There are two main types of dysphagia:

• Oropharyngeal dysphagia : Difficulty moving food from the mouth into the throat, often due to muscle weakness or neurological problems.
• Esophageal dysphagia : Difficulty moving food through the esophagus into the stomach, often caused by blockages, swelling, or abnormal muscle movement in the esophagus.

Symptoms of dysphagia may include the sensation of food being stuck in the throat or chest, pain while swallowing, regurgitation of food, coughing or choking during swallowing, hoarseness, frequent heartburn, and weight loss. Dysphagia can be caused by a variety of conditions affecting the muscles or nerves involved in swallowing or by physical obstructions in the throat or esophagus. Causes may include neurological disorders, muscle disorders, infections, reflux disease, strictures, tumors, or injuries. Because dysphagia can be serious and lead to complications like aspiration pneumonia, persistent or severe swallowing difficulties should be evaluated and treated by a healthcare professional. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve medication, therapy, or procedures. In summary, dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that can significantly impact eating and drinking and often requires medical attention.